Boulder City Council to Appeal Federal Data Center Approval Amid Resident Outcry
Boulder City officials and residents are fighting a federal decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve a data center on public land, bypassing local land use processes. The City Council voted to appeal the BLM's approval, citing a lack of public comment and proper consultation, while residents expressed concerns over environmental impacts and infrastructure strain. Local and state discussions around data center regulation and potential moratoriums are also ongoing.
Boulder City, Nevada, is in an uproar after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unilaterally approved a data center project on public land, despite fierce local opposition and without following typical public comment or city consultation procedures. The project, proposed by Townsite Solar 2, a subsidiary of Skylar Capital Management, was approved through an amendment to a pre-existing solar farm permit, with the BLM deeming the original environmental review sufficient for the data center.
Boulder City officials, including the City Council and City Attorney Brittany Walker, argue that the BLM's action sets a dangerous precedent, bypassing local zoning processes and costing the city $2.3 million in annual revenue. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., has also demanded answers from the agency. Residents voiced strong concerns about the data center's massive power and water demands, potential air and noise pollution, and the equity of their homes, with many calling for a moratorium on data center development in Boulder City, similar to actions in Reno and considerations in Nye County and Henderson.
Following hours of public comment expressing outrage, the Boulder City Council voted unanimously to write an appeal letter challenging the BLM's decision. This comes after the Boulder City Planning Commission had previously recommended rejecting Skylar Capital's data center proposal in May due to resident opposition. The developer has stated a willingness to work constructively with Boulder City.