Pahrump packs the house for county data center forum
Nye County hosted a Data Center Forum in Pahrump Valley to gauge community sentiment, with an overwhelming majority of residents expressing strong opposition to proposed hyperscale data center developments. Concerns primarily revolved around water usage, potential aquifer contamination, noise pollution, and strain on infrastructure. A developer involved with the Manse Technology Campus project addressed the forum, while a local assemblyman opposed a related zone change on behalf of Pahrump Utilities Company.
Nye County recently hosted a Data Center Forum in Pahrump Valley, Nevada, drawing hundreds of residents concerned about proposed hyperscale data center developments. The event, organized by Nye County Commissioners Ian Bayne and Bruce Jabbour, saw the vast majority of attendees voice strong opposition, citing worries over water consumption in a resource-limited area, potential contamination of the sole-source aquifer, noise pollution, environmental impacts, and infrastructure strain.
Russ Meads, a local developer working on the controversial Manse Technology Campus data center project, was one of the few who spoke in favor, acknowledging public backlash but referring to a future public forum for detailed engineering facts. Nevada Assemblyman Greg Hafen II, speaking for Pahrump Utilities Company, confirmed his opposition to a zone change for the Manse project, emphasizing concerns about water protection and the lack of developer safeguards.
Several residents with expertise, including Marine Corps veteran Jean Alexander Booth and former data center designer Martin Zam, raised issues regarding cooling system corrosion and the negative quality-of-life impact of data centers on residential areas. Speakers also noted that several states have enacted or are considering data center moratoriums. While some voiced concerns about financial impacts from a ban and suggested strong regulations, the overwhelming sentiment was against the developments.
Sean Dalesandro, developer of the Manse Technology Campus, and his team attended to hear community feedback. Residents are planning a protest to coincide with Manse's upcoming public forum on August 3. The following day, the Nye County Commission will hold a public hearing on a bill proposed by Commissioner Bayne, which aims to ban data centers from towns without their own elected town boards within the county.