Dozens of residents talk to Mayes about data centers
Dozens of residents confronted Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes at a Mesa town hall over the proposed Menlo Digital data center in Phoenix's Ahwatukee area. Mayes called for a pause on data center development, stronger resident input and scrutiny of the project's noise, pollution and electricity impacts, while acknowledging that she lacks authority to impose a moratorium herself.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes faced strong opposition from residents at a town hall near Mesa focused largely on Menlo Digital's proposed data center in Ahwatukee, a Phoenix community south of South Mountain. About 150 people attended, and more than half said they were there to discuss the 38-acre development. Residents, including longtime Phoenix resident Tina Charon, said the project could harm quality of life for nearby neighborhoods and joined local activism efforts opposing it.
Mayes said she cannot independently impose a data center moratorium, but urged the Arizona Corporation Commission, state Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs to consider pausing industry growth and giving communities greater control over where facilities are built. She also cited concerns about data centers contributing to proposed Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power rate increases, as well as possible noise and air pollution from industrial operations and diesel generators. Critics, including Republican Senate President Warren Petersen's campaign, accused Mayes of changing her position for political reasons, while business officials opposed a blanket halt to development.