Palm Beach County commissioners reject controversial Project Tango AI data center
Palm Beach County commissioners rejected the controversial Project Tango AI data center for Loxahatchee in a 5-1 vote. The decision followed hours of debate and significant resident opposition regarding noise, water use, traffic, and compatibility with the rural community, despite developers revising their plans. A judge had previously denied an emergency request to block the commission's consideration of the project.
Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-1 to reject the controversial Project Tango AI data center proposed for Loxahatchee, concluding a 12-hour meeting that started at 9:30 AM and ended at 9:50 PM. The project, intended for Western Palm Beach County near the Arden community, faced strong opposition from hundreds of residents concerned about noise, water use, energy demand, and its proximity to homes and a nearby elementary school. Commissioner Maria Marino cast the lone dissenting vote, while Mayor Sarah Baxter was recused.
Project manager Ernie Cox expressed disappointment over the decision but stated that developers would continue working, believing the project is important for the county. Commissioners cited numerous unanswered questions and concerns regarding noise, compatibility with the surrounding area, and potential environmental impacts as reasons for their denial. One commissioner highlighted that the proposed additional square footage was incompatible with current uses and required more time, experts, and conditions.
The commission chambers were filled to capacity throughout the day, with overflow rooms opened for the hundreds of people who wished to watch and address the board. Emotions ran high, leading to four individuals being escorted out after interrupting the meeting, despite warnings from commissioners. Opponents celebrated the rejection of Project Tango, though the developer's next steps remain unclear following Cox's pledge to continue efforts.
In related news, Palm Beach County commissioners have also initiated steps towards restricting future large-scale data centers, with a first reading on a proposed ordinance scheduled for August 27th. The report noted that several other Florida counties are either considering or have adopted temporary moratoriums on data centers, and New York recently became the first state to implement a year-long pause on permits for new hyperscale AI data centers to study their community and environmental impacts. Virginia lawmakers have approved a new tax on data center electricity and enacted stricter noise and water consumption rules, while California and Pennsylvania are also exploring new restrictions or moratoriums. Additionally, a new Florida law requires developers, not utility customers, to cover the infrastructure costs for massive data center projects, and a CBS News analysis projects data centers could consume 469 billion gallons of water annually by 2028.