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Harlingen residents press city leaders for transparency amid reports of data‑center plans
Summary
Dozens of residents urged Harlingen officials to pause and publicly explain possible AI/data‑center projects, citing water and power strains, local health concerns, and a claimed land purchase record; speakers asked for a town hall and called for greater transparency before approvals proceed.
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…
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