In a recent House Appropriations Committee meeting, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso, Texas, proposed an amendment aimed at ensuring local communities have a say in the construction of data centers. Her amendment sought to prohibit the use of federal funds for building data centers without local input, but it was rejected by Republican members of the committee.
Local Concerns Over Data Centers
Rep. Escobar expressed concerns about the environmental impact of data centers in El Paso, highlighting the region’s struggle with record-breaking heat and air quality issues. She noted that three data centers are already under construction in the area, with another planned on a military installation. These centers, she pointed out, rely on gas turbines that consume significant electricity, potentially exacerbating local environmental challenges.
Escobar emphasized the importance of community involvement in such projects, citing a Gallup poll indicating that 71% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their neighborhoods. She criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to allow data centers to begin construction without permits or public comment, a policy she attributed to President Trump.
Calls for Corporate Accountability
Escobar also mentioned her efforts to engage Meta, the company behind one of the proposed data centers, in a town hall meeting to address community concerns. However, she stated that Meta has so far refused to participate. “Constituents have real questions and they deserve answers,” Escobar said, stressing the need for public involvement in decisions affecting local resources.
The amendment aimed to ensure a public comment period before the start of construction, allowing residents to voice their concerns and seek answers from corporations benefiting from local resources. Despite the rejection of her proposal, Escobar continues to advocate for greater transparency and community engagement in the development of data centers.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
