Conflict of interest? Palm Beach County reconsiders data center consultant
Palm Beach County commissioners reconsidered hiring VHB to help develop regulations for large-scale data centers after residents raised conflict-of-interest concerns about the firm's work for data center-related clients. Commissioners voted to consider additional consultants and supported reviving a community task force, while a previously approved one-year moratorium remains in effect.
Palm Beach County commissioners are reconsidering the selection of VHB, an engineering and planning firm proposed to help create countywide data center regulations. VHB said it has worked for private clients with data centers in Massachusetts and Virginia, prompting residents and commissioners to question whether it could serve as an impartial adviser. The proposed contract would have cost $224,900.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to seek additional consultant options rather than immediately commit to VHB, though the firm remains under consideration. They also supported bringing back a formal community task force to give residents a larger role in developing rules addressing potential data center impacts, including noise, electricity and water use. The action comes as the county works under a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers and faces a deadline to adopt regulations before the moratorium expires.