Large data center project in Arizona will scale down after backlash
Developers of the 3,300-acre La Osa data center project in Pinal County, Arizona, plan to reduce its size by 80% after public backlash. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors tabled a rezone request for the project, which will be reviewed again in August, following concerns about its environmental impact, including water and energy usage.
Developers behind the 3,300-acre La Osa data center project in Pinal County, Arizona, are proposing a significant reduction in its scale following a public outcry. The project, situated in a remote area south of Eloy, was the subject of a recent Pinal County Board of Supervisors hearing where several individuals voiced opposition, primarily citing concerns about its potential impact on the desert environment and local resources.
Attorney Court Rich, representing the project, informed the board that the owner intends to reduce the number of buildings by 80%, aiming for a more "typical" data center size. This decision comes after the board had granted preliminary approval last November, but a subsequent rezone request faced considerable public pushback. Opponents specifically raised issues regarding water and energy consumption, though development officials stated the La Osa project would use alternative cooling methods, avoiding water coolant technology.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors ultimately tabled the project's rezone request for further review, with discussions set to resume in August. This development reflects broader tensions in Arizona surrounding data center expansion and its demands on critical resources, as highlighted by related approvals and rejections of other projects in Maricopa County and Chandler.