Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda
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Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda
Harlingen Mayor demands proof from Eneus Energy data center project developers, citing concerns over water and infrastructure impact, and is working on a local ordinance to protect the community.
Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepúlveda has broken her silence on the controversial Eneus Energy data center project with a strong message to developers: The burden of proof is on you, and the City is preparing legal guardrails.
Following a brief direct meeting with Eneus Energy, the Mayor stated she "did not get all the answers" she wanted. As a result, she is now working with the City Attorney to draft a local ordinance and a potential moratorium until specific regulations are in place to protect the community’s water and infrastructure.
In her sharpest critique yet, Mayor Sepúlveda stated: "As I see it today, I do not see a direct benefit to our City." She pushed back on the argument that because the project sits just outside city limits (in the County), it is not the City's problem. "Boundary lines do not prevent impact," she wrote, noting that if it affects regional water or utilities, it matters to Harlingen.
Addressing the most heated topic the water supply the Mayor confirmed she is officially reviewing any agreements involving the Harlingen WaterWorks System (HWWS). While acknowledging that HWWS has its own Board, she emphasized that the City owns the utility and she hears the community’s demand for oversight.
Crucially, the Mayor revealed that Eneus Energy has not purchased the property yet. Their contract is currently "contingent" on securing necessary approvals, meaning the project is still in a preliminary stage and has not advanced to construction. She also noted that while other companies have expressed interest in Harlingen, only Eneus has reached out directly.
The Mayor plans to visit other communities that host data centers to see the impacts firsthand. She closed by thanking the residents who have packed commission meetings and even stopped her in H-E-B, validating their concerns: "Civic engagement is not a nuisance... It’s exactly how this is supposed to work."
Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepúlveda has broken her silence on the controversial Eneus Energy data center project with a strong message to developers: The burden of proof is on you, and the City is preparing legal guardrails.
Following a brief direct meeting with Eneus Energy, the Mayor stated she "did not get all the answers" she wanted. As a result, she is now working with the City Attorney to draft a local ordinance and a potential moratorium until specific regulations are in place to protect the community’s water and infrastructure.
In her sharpest critique yet, Mayor Sepúlveda stated: "As I see it today, I do not see a direct benefit to our City." She pushed back on the argument that because the project sits just outside city limits (in the County), it is not the City's problem. "Boundary lines do not prevent impact," she wrote, noting that if it affects regional water or utilities, it matters to Harlingen.
Addressing the most heated topic the water supply the Mayor confirmed she is officially reviewing any agreements involving the Harlingen WaterWorks System (HWWS). While acknowledging that HWWS has its own Board, she emphasized that the City owns the utility and she hears the community’s demand for oversight.
Crucially, the Mayor revealed that Eneus Energy has not purchased the property yet. Their contract is currently "contingent" on securing necessary approvals, meaning the project is still in a preliminary stage and has not advanced to construction. She also noted that while other companies have expressed interest in Harlingen, only Eneus has reached out directly.
The Mayor plans to visit other communities that host data centers to see the impacts firsthand. She closed by thanking the residents who have packed commission meetings and even stopped her in H-E-B, validating their concerns: "Civic engagement is not a nuisance... It’s exactly how this is supposed to work."