Sierra Club releases policy suggestions ahead of Clark County Commission consideration of data center ordinance
Clark County commissioners are set to begin crafting an ordinance governing future data center development in unincorporated areas of the county, prompting discussion on approval criteria. The Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club plans to voice objections and present recommendations for strict regulations due to concerns over water, air quality, and climate impacts. This comes after the recent approval of a Switch data center project and against a backdrop of Nevada's water scarcity issues.
Clark County Commissioners are poised to begin drafting a new ordinance to regulate data center development within the county's unincorporated areas. The initiative on Tuesday's agenda will address the application process and approval criteria for these facilities, amidst growing questions and concerns about their operation.
Executive Director Olivia Tanager of the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club, a key opposition group, intends to present the commission with policy recommendations. Tanager emphasized the widespread public concern in Nevada, the nation's driest state, regarding data centers' potential severe impacts on water resources, air quality, renewables, and climate change, despite evolving technologies.
The Sierra Club advocates for creating a dedicated business district for data centers and imposing rigorous requirements for sustainable energy, along with strict water and noise limitations. This regulatory discussion follows the recent approval of a Switch data center project, known as LAS 19, in southwest Las Vegas. Data center operators Switch and NovVA have been noted for their use of water-free cooling systems, a practice aligned with the Southern Nevada Water Authority's 2023 ban on evaporative cooling for new construction.