Residents urge Harlingen commission to pause talks with proposed AI data center over water and power concerns
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Summary
Multiple residents and regional advocates urged the Harlingen City Commission to halt or openly review reported talks about an AI/data center, citing water use estimates, power-grid strain and a lack of transparency; no formal proposal was before the commission and officials said they could not respond during citizen comments.
Several Harlingen residents told the city commission that talks about a proposed AI/data center should be paused and publicly explained, saying the project could strain water and power systems and deliver few long-term local jobs.
"We need to be transparent with citizens of Harlingen," resident Raymond Reyes said, urging the commission to disclose details he said were circulating in media reports. Multiple speakers raised similar concerns about secrecy and potential resource impacts.
Why it matters: Speakers said large data centers consume substantial water and electricity and that Harlingen’s infrastructure and drought-prone location make those demands risky. "Large data centers use up to 5,000,000 gallons per day," Donovan Salazar said, comparing that level of consumption to the city’s roughly 72,000 residents.
Claims and examples: Several residents pointed to outside cases to illustrate potential consequences. Max Garza warned of pollution and community harm, citing SpaceX’s impact on a community he referred to as "Bronzeville." Dr. Etienne Rosas, a candidate for Congress, framed such projects as "extraction sites" that privatize profits while socializing costs, and he repeated a water-consumption estimate of "1 to 5,000,000 gallons per day" and annual ranges of "300,000,000 to over 1,000,000,000 gallons."
Requests for process and public engagement: Speakers repeatedly asked the commission for town halls, clearer disclosure of any negotiations, and pauses on approvals until the public can ask questions. Rose Salas and others urged a public forum so residents can see project data and ask about energy and water sources.
Commission response and limits: Commissioners and staff repeatedly told speakers the commission could not respond during the citizen-comment portion of the meeting and encouraged residents to meet individually with staff. Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Lopez and other commissioners invited follow-up outside the meeting but did not provide substantive answers on contracts or approvals during the session.
What was not decided: The meeting record shows no formal proposal, no ordinance, and no vote on a data-center project. Several speakers referenced news reports and a Cameron County land recording; commissioners did not confirm any contract or final negotiations on the public record during citizen comments.
Next steps: Residents asked the commission to hold public meetings and pause any further work until data, water-usage estimates and energy sourcing are presented publicly. City staff and commissioners indicated they will take feedback and meet with residents outside the meeting; a formal timeline for any such review was not provided in the session.
