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Hearings begin on El Paso Electric’s proposed power plant for Meta data center
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso Electric's proposal to build a new natural gas power plant to serve the planned Meta data center started a hearing Wednesday and will continue Thursday.
The utility proposed a natural gas plant to support the data center in Northeast El Paso.
Wednesday, the...
Key takeaway EPE said the plant will cost almost $500 million, but won't impact rate payers.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The proposed power plant has significant implications for El Paso's energy landscape and economic development. With a price tag of nearly $500 million, the project's cost is substantial, and El Paso Electric's assurance that it won't impact ratepayers will likely be scrutinized closely. The city's opposition to the plant and its role in prompting the hearing suggests that there are concerns about the project's potential environmental and health impacts on Northeast El Paso residents. As the hearings continue, the community will be watching to see how the state administrative hearings office weighs the benefits of supporting the Meta data center against potential drawbacks. The outcome of this process will not only determine the fate of the power plant but also influence the trajectory of El Paso's growth and development, particularly in the context of attracting large tech investments like the Meta data center.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso Electric's proposal to build a new natural gas power plant to serve the planned Meta data center started a hearing Wednesday and will continue Thursday.
The utility proposed a natural gas plant to support the data center in Northeast El Paso.
Wednesday, the...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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