Harlingen residents press city leaders for transparency amid reports of data‑center plans

Dozens of Harlingen residents used the city commission’s citizen‑comment period to urge officials to halt any quiet movement toward large data‑center projects and to provide clear public information about water, energy and land‑use implications.

"Be honest. Be upfront," said Raymond Reyes of 706 Nantucket Drive, calling attention to non‑disclosure agreements and media reports he said raised questions about water use. Multiple speakers worried about the facilities’ demand for water and electricity, with Donovan Salazar citing figures he said appeared in reports: "Large data centers use up to 5,000,000 gallons per day," and warning Harlingen’s power grid could be strained.

Why it matters: Commenters and one local candidate for Congress framed the debate as one of long‑term resource stewardship. Dr. Etienne Rosas, a Brownsville native and candidate for the 34th Congressional District, told the commission these facilities can extract vast quantities of water and provide few permanent local jobs, arguing the projects can “convert our resources into private profit” and asking the commission to put community needs first.

Several speakers asked the commission to hold a public town hall so staff and elected officials could lay out the data and the stage of any negotiations. "My idea is to propose to you that ... to have a town hall," said Ingrid Gonzalez, urging an informational forum where residents can ask questions directly of officials.

Claims and evidence in the record: Multiple speakers accused private actors of quietly pursuing land or deals. Angela Valdespino told the commission she had seen a recording at the Cameron County Clerk’s office dated July 2025 showing land purchased by Ennis Energy; she presented that as evidence that a deal may be advanced. The commission did not announce any formal approvals for a data center during the meeting.

Officials’ response and next steps: Commissioners and staff repeatedly said the city cannot deliberate on non‑agendized matters during the public‑comment period and encouraged one‑on‑one follow‑ups. Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Lopez and Mayor Norma Sepulveda invited residents to contact staff and noted staff routinely meet with stakeholders outside of the public meeting. Several commenters asked the commission to publicly pause any permitting or approvals until the city provides fuller information.

What remains unresolved: The meeting record contains multiple assertions about water use, power impacts and an apparent land purchase; those claims are presented as statements from residents and the record does not contain supporting documentation beyond the petitioners’ assertions. No formal city action on a data‑center permit or a site plan appeared on the meeting agenda.

The commission did not vote on any item directly tied to a data center at this meeting. The public asked for a town hall and for more transparent, earlier public notice if staff or the mayor pursue discussions with prospective developers; commissioners said staff would follow up outside the meeting and that public processes would be observed for any future formal actions.