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Harlingen residents press commission for transparency, call for limits on proposed data centers
Summary
At the April 15 Harlingen City Commission meeting residents and activists demanded public answers about talks with Enos Energy and urged an ordinance to ban large AI/data centers, citing water use, environmental and transparency concerns.
Dozens of residents used the public‑comment period at the Harlingen City Commission meeting on April 15 to press city leaders for transparency about discussions with data‑center developers and to urge the commission to consider a ban or moratorium.
Several speakers pointed to public records they say show early conversations between Enos Energy and local economic development officials. "What I want to bring to everyone's attention is a newfound discovery of emails that show conversations between Enos Energy, the company trying to build the data center, and the members of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation," Isaac Amani Newman said during public comment.
Other residents raised environmental and public‑health concerns. Luis Valdespino told commissioners that the risks to air and water justified stronger local controls and asked the commission to add a formal agenda item on the proposal. "No data centers. Not here, not now, not ever," Valdespino said.
Angela Valdespino cited academic research she said shows AI data centers can create localized heat‑island effects and asked how those temperature changes might affect nearby farms and airport operations. Residents also asked for an accounting of any prior closed‑door meetings, non‑disclosure agreements and the public benefits or protections the city would require before approving any large industrial project.
City commissioners acknowledged the public concerns and several asked staff to place a discussion item on a future agenda so the commission can review the records and consider policy options. City staff and commissioners repeatedly signaled the need to clarify water‑use, power‑demand and other technical questions before any regulatory or contract decision.
Next steps: commissioners directed staff to bring the matter back for formal discussion at a future meeting so the body can consider options including ordinance language, a moratorium and further public outreach.
