Arizona AG Kris Mayes seeks data center pause: Here’s what she says
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is advocating for a moratorium on new data center developments, particularly AI-focused projects, citing increasing pressure on the state's water and power resources. This proposal comes amidst growing public opposition, including a recent rejection of a data center rezoning request by Pinal County supervisors and planned community meetings to address resident concerns.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has called for a temporary halt on approvals for new data centers, especially large AI-focused facilities, in Arizona. She expressed concerns that the state's water and electricity systems are already under significant strain, exacerbated by a nearly 30% reduction in Arizona's Colorado River water allocation. Mayes' office estimates that planned data center projects in the greater Phoenix area could increase water demand from the sector by over 450%.
The Attorney General's push for a moratorium follows growing public opposition to data center developments across the state. In Pinal County, local supervisors recently rejected a rezoning request for a substantial data center project, indicating increasing local resistance. Mayes plans to host a town hall on October 14th in Ahwatukee, a district within Phoenix, to address residents' concerns about a proposed 1 million-square-foot data center facility in their community.
Nick Meyers, Chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, commented on utility rates, stating that current rates are based on data from before the "big data center boom" and insisting that data centers pay for their own infrastructure. The Arizona Data Center Alliance, represented by Andrea Clinton, voiced opposition to a development pause, arguing against a moratorium. The Governor's office, while not directly addressing Mayes' moratorium proposal, noted a three-year pause on tax incentives for data centers.