Data centers are a major issue this election season. What does that mean for Arizona?
Data center opposition has become a major political issue in Marana and across Arizona, driven by concerns about electricity costs, water use, noise and community impacts. The Project Blue data center in Pima County has helped shape local elections, while candidates including Attorney General Kris Mayes are calling for stronger regulation or a statewide moratorium.
Opposition to data center development, particularly the Project Blue facility approved by the Marana Town Council, has emerged as a significant issue in Arizona elections. Jackie McGuire, a cybersecurity expert who campaigned against the 600-acre project, won a seat on the town council after making data center concerns central to her campaign. The debate has also prompted protests at Pima County meetings and increased political spending in local, state and congressional races.
Candidates and analysts say concerns center on data centers’ electricity and water demands, grid costs, noise and environmental effects, while supporters emphasize jobs and tax revenue. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has called for a statewide moratorium and criticized regulators’ approval of an electricity deal between Tucson Electric Power and Beale Infrastructure for Project Blue. The Arizona Corporation Commission and APS dispute allegations that data centers caused nearly $600 million in additional costs for Phoenix customers, and the issue is expected to remain prominent in the midterm elections.