Judge pauses data center development on federal land in Boulder City
A judge has ordered a pause on the development of a controversial data center on federal land in Boulder City, Nevada. The Interior Department's Board of Land Appeals granted a stay, citing the likelihood that environmental groups would succeed in arguing that the Bureau of Land Management violated the National Environmental Policy Act.
An administrative judge has ordered a pause on the development of a contested data center project on federal land in Boulder City, Nevada. The Interior Department's Board of Land Appeals issued a stay on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) authorization for the Townsite Solar 2 project.
Boulder City leaders and several environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, had filed appeals against the BLM's approval. They argued that the federal agency failed to consult with the city and provide adequate public input as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Administrative Judge David Gunter's order indicated that environmental groups were likely to succeed on the merits, stating that the BLM acted arbitrarily by deeming the data center project 'substantially the same' as a previously cleared solar plant project for NEPA analysis.
Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed satisfaction, stating the data center has been "stopped dead in its tracks." The city reported that the Board of Land Appeals is expediting the appeal process.