El Paso Electric plans to build a multimillion-dollar power plant in far east El Paso, near Montana Avenue at Flager Street, but as KFOX14 has reported, many neighbors in the area are less than pleased by the idea.

Monday, dozens of residents wearing "say no" signs around their necks packed the county commissioners' meeting.

They asked the county to join them as a party in their legal fight against El Paso Electric.

Many expressed concern about their health and safety, quality of life and decline in property values.

"My main concern is the property value. I used to live in a mobile home and I invested into a home six years so I can build equity into my home and leave something for my children, and with the plant coming in, it would be reduced almost $15,000," said Luz Alaniz, president of the Hacienda del Norte Neighborhood Association.

However, County Judge Veronica Escobar explained the county is very limited in its ability to intervene or join as a party to the case. The state of Texas has not granted counties the powers they need to exercise authority in these types of situations.

The county also does not have control over zoning, which presents a double-edged sword -- many people move out into the county where they don't have to follow rules or regulations, but that same void of authority prevents the country from protecting or intervening on the behalf of residents.

Marybeth Stevens, El Paso Electric's assistant vice president for external affairs and public relations, said the plant will be a benefit to the entire community. Stevens explained the plant will have the newest technology, which will feature low emissions and be fairly quiet.

Stevens explained how the company decided on that particular spot.

"We hire outside experts to look at our entire service territory to find out what is the most appropriate spot to put a plant. They chose this spot; it was the overwhelming consensus. It needs to be on the east side I'm told, to balance our load -- that is where the growth is," said Stevens.

Stevens said there are a few requirements a location for a power plant must meet, and the location in Far East El Paso meets all of them.

"You have to have necessary infrastructure, you have to be near a high-pressure gas line. You have to be near transmission lines and you have to have access to water, which is obviously a key component here in our community. The location is also accessible for transportation," said Stevens.

El Paso Electric had hoped to have the plant finished by summer 2014 but a series of hearings will likely delay the process.

The neighbors have retained legal counsel and are awaiting a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality administrative hearing. The TCEQ will make the final decision.

The electric company said the plant that will serve 80,000 homes will benefit the entire community.

"It is a very positive investment for the community its a large investment. We think it is going to be important because we need the generation for the community," said Stevens.

An added benefit to the county is the increased tax base. The electric company will pay a fairly hefty tax bill to the county which could mean an added incentive for the county to stay out of the case.

"Well, I don't know that that is their incentive but it will certainly be a benefit to the school districts, to the hospital, to the county," said Stevens.

While the county said it would not be able to join as a party to the case, individual commissioners said they plan to support the communities they represent.

"Certainly I as an individual commissioner will send a letter to the case expressing my opposition to it outlining the concerns it is that you have," said Vince Perez.

Alaniz said she hopes the county leaders will be able to support them by writing letters to the electric company and to other state leaders.

"We aren't saying, 'Don't build it.' We are saying, 'Don't build it in our neighborhood,'" said Alaniz.