Controversial data center project in West Valley near Luke Air Force Base clears regulatory hurdle

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has approved a military compatibility permit for Project Baccara, a 160-acre data center and 700-megawatt gas power plant development. The site is located in an unincorporated part of Maricopa County, near Glendale and Surprise, about a mile north of Luke Air Force Base. Despite concerns raised by Brig. Gen. David Berkland, commander at Luke Air Force Base, regarding the project's compatibility with military operations, county staff stated the developer, Michigan-based Takanock, agreed to conditions to mitigate these issues. These conditions include complying with air quality standards and ensuring emissions from the plant will not create a hazard for pilots. This agreement was sufficient to sway a 4-1 majority of the board to approve the permit. Supervisor Steve Gallardo cast the sole dissenting vote, expressing skepticism that the Air Force's concerns had been officially resolved in writing. Local residents and the 'Project Baccara Opposition Coalition' voiced strong objections, citing potential negative impacts from the gas plant's toxins, noise, and the loss of precious water in a drought-stricken region. They also highlighted the risk of increased plane crashes due to the development's proximity to the base. However, both the supervisors and the development team emphasized that the land is already zoned for heavy industrial uses, including data centers and power plants. While the project has cleared a major administrative hurdle, it still requires final approval from county and federal air quality regulators, with development anticipated to start in 2027.