Tucson leaders move closer to approving city code amendment to regulate data centers

Tucson leaders are nearing approval of a city code amendment that would impose formal restrictions on data centers, a move spurred by intense public backlash against the proposed "Project Blue" data center. Mayor Regina Romero and the City Council began drafting the proposal last year after residents voiced strong concerns over the project's substantial water and energy needs in the desert city. Project Blue was notably tied to Amazon Web Services. During a recent study session, officials were briefed on public sentiment, which emphasized the need for limits on where data centers can be built and their energy consumption. Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz questioned the feasibility of an outright ban, citing the potential strain on the city's water and energy infrastructure. City officials clarified that a moratorium would need to be legally sound and would likely be limited to 120 days, after which property owners could file lawsuits. Councilman Paul Cunningham acknowledged the stringency of the proposed "guardrails," expressing hope that they would deter new data center proposals. He also requested clearer language regarding potential city fees for data center projects. The proposed amendment is now slated for review by the city's planning committee, marking a significant step in Tucson's effort to manage data center development.