Local opinion: Data centers must use solar power

Pima County and the city of Marana have given approval for data center construction, prompting an opinion piece in the Arizona Daily Star to advocate for stricter environmental requirements. Beale Infrastructure has already begun site preparation near the Pima County fairgrounds, with preliminary work expected near Veterans Memorial Park in Marana. Despite citizens' objections regarding increasing electricity costs and water scarcity, local governments approved the projects. Mike Carran, a retired educator and member of Tucson's Citizens Climate Lobby, argues that both the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the Marana City Council must mandate that data centers be powered by solar and operate as 'net water positive' entities. The author highlights that data centers are highly energy-intensive and, when powered by fossil fuels, exacerbate climate change and strain water supplies. He proposes that Beale Infrastructure should be required to build its own solar farm with battery storage, noting that solar power is the cheapest source of new power generation in the U.S. Southwest and dramatically reduces water consumption compared to traditional power plants. While acknowledging significant upfront capital costs for solar farms and utility-scale batteries, Carran emphasizes the long-term economic and environmental benefits, particularly water savings, which are crucial given Arizona's imperiled water supply. The article concludes by urging local authorities to demand sustainable, water-efficient digital infrastructure.