Since my last post, I met directly with Eneus Energy. It was a brief meeting, but it was necessary. I went into that meeting with a long list of questions. Many came straight from you. Others came from what I learned in DC while collaborating with mayors across the country who are already living with data centers in their communities.
I did not get all the answers I wanted. That’s important to say clearly.
Because of that, we are in the process of setting up another meeting. If something has the potential to impact our water, our power grid, or our long term infrastructure, then the questions deserve real answers.
As I shared previously, I am working with our City Attorney on a local ordinance and a potential moratorium. That work is underway. If any project ever formally comes before the City, we need guardrails in place before decisions are made.
Here is what I know as of right now.
The project sits at the boundary line in the County. As I see it today, I do not see a direct benefit to our City. However, boundary lines do not prevent impact. If something affects our regional water supply, our utilities, or surrounding infrastructure, it matters to Harlingen whether it sits just outside city limits or not.
Eneus has not purchased the property. There is a contract, but it is contingent upon them being able to secure what they need to move forward. That means this project is still in a preliminary stage. It has not advanced to construction or final approvals.
They have reached out to the City and the EDC about potential partnerships. Communication does not equal approval. It means conversations are happening. There is interest from other companies wanting to develop data centers in Harlingen; however, only Eneus has reached out to us directly.
I will also be reviewing any potential agreement involving Harlingen WaterWorks System. While HWWS operates with its own Board of Trustees, the City owns the utility. That responsibility is not something I take lightly. I have been listening and I hear that the community wants oversight from our Commission.
During our meeting, they shared that they intend to conduct community engagement themselves. They have not started that process because the project has not advanced far enough to move into that phase.
In the meantime, I am not waiting.
I am planning to visit other communities that already have data centers operating. I want to hear from their local governments. I want to hear from their residents. I want to see firsthand what worked, what did not, and what they wish they had required from the beginning.
As of today, I do not see a clear benefit to the City. That does not mean the conversation is over. It means the burden is on the developer to demonstrate value and protection.
I also want to say thank you.
To everyone who has shown up at commission meetings.
To those who have called, texted, emailed. Even to the ones who stopped me in the middle of H-E-B (you know who you are).
Civic engagement is not a nuisance. It’s not an inconvenience. It’s exactly how this is supposed to work.
You care about your water. Your power. Your property. Your future. That matters to me.
Even when the conversations are tough, I would much rather have an engaged community than an indifferent one. So keep asking questions. Keep holding us accountable. That’s not opposition. That’s participation.
And I’m listening.
Editor's Note: The above op-ed was penned by Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda. The op-ed first appeared on Mayor Sepulveda's social media pages.
