Pinal County residents fight proposed data center
Residents in Pinal County, Arizona, are actively fighting a proposed 3,300-acre data center project by Vermaland, citing concerns about groundwater use, energy costs, air quality, and noise. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on a critical zoning change from agricultural to industrial use for the project. Opponents are urging the board to deny the proposal.
Residents of Pinal County, Arizona, are actively opposing the development of the 3,300-acre La Osa Data Center project proposed by Vermaland near Eloy and Picacho Peak. Homeowners, including Christine Wyman, expressed concerns over potential impacts on groundwater use, local energy costs, air quality, noise pollution, and the delicate desert environment, arguing that such a facility would disrupt their rural lifestyle.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a crucial zoning change from agricultural to industrial use for the site at an upcoming meeting in Florence. Opponents have been contacting supervisors, feeling their concerns are not being adequately addressed.
Vermaland, the developer, acknowledged community concerns and stated they have scaled back the project from 59 to 11 buildings and implemented stipulations to cap water and power consumption, limit noise, and dedicate nearly 1,000 acres to open space. However, residents like Wyman maintain that these concessions are insufficient and continue their efforts to prevent the data center from being built.