Congresswoman Escobar Calls on the Army to Increase Transparency and Community Engagement on Proposed Fort Bliss Data Center

The proposed project, which has reportedly been discussed at hyperscale levels approaching 2.5 gigawatts, continues to raise significant questions from El Pasoans regarding potential impacts on local infrastructure, water and energy resources, household costs, environmental conditions, and community quality of life. While the Army has begun engaging with the community, Congresswoman Escobar expressed concern that critical project decisions may be advancing before residents have received clear answers or meaningful opportunities for public input.

Excerpts from the letter can be found below or in its entirety here.

"I write regarding the proposed Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) data center project at Fort Bliss and the significant concerns that continue to be raised by El Pasoans about the project's scope, location, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and security implications.

"As you know, Fort Bliss and El Paso share a long and proud history. I have consistently worked to support Fort Bliss, its service members, and its mission because the installation is vital for our national security and local economy. Precisely because the relationship is so important, I am concerned that the Army risks undermining community trust if residents come to view this process as dismissive of legitimate local concerns regarding the project's location and long-term impacts.

"El Pasoans deserve clear answers regarding the project's anticipated impacts on local energy infrastructure, water resources, the environment, and overall quality of life. The project has been discussed at hyperscale levels approaching 2.5 gigawatts, yet critical questions remain unresolved on energy sourcing, grid impacts, infrastructure upgrades, and whether local ratepayers could absorb indirect costs associated with the project. While I acknowledge references have been made to "behind-the-meter" solutions, the Army and Carlyle Group have not provided the public with detailed projections or enforceable commitments to allow the community to assess the project's impact.

"These concerns are especially acute in El Paso, which is already facing prolonged drought conditions, extreme heat, poor air quality, and severe water stress. Residents living near the proposed site should not be asked to absorb more environmental and quality-of-life burdens without clear demonstration that every reasonable mitigation measure and alternative location have been fully evaluated.

"El Pasoans deserve a process that is transparent, thoughtful, and responsive to legitimate public scrutiny before irreversible decisions are made. I urge the Army and Carlyle Group to slow this process, provide greater transparency, and seriously reconsider the proposed location of the facility.

"Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your response."