Kris Mayes considers nuisance lawsuit against Ahwatukee data center
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office is investigating a data center under construction in Ahwatukee and is considering nuisance lawsuits against data center developers. Residents raised concerns about energy use, water consumption, emissions, noise, health effects and property values at a town hall in Mesa.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office is investigating a controversial data center project under construction in Ahwatukee and is evaluating whether nuisance lawsuits could be brought against data center developers. Her office has identified nearly 200 data centers across Arizona that are planned, under construction or operating, including about 50 projects in development.
Residents at a Mesa town hall voiced concerns about the Ahwatukee project’s potential emissions, water use, noise, health effects and impact on property values. Mayes said her office is also examining nondisclosure agreements between local governments and developers and could intervene before the Arizona Corporation Commission, while acknowledging that only the Legislature and governor can impose a statewide moratorium.
The event highlighted the political debate over Arizona’s rapidly expanding data center industry. Activist Lisa Everett defended the economic and union benefits of the projects and cited closed-loop cooling as a way to reduce water concerns. Mayes also joined other state attorneys general in a separate lawsuit against OpenAI alleging harm to Arizona children.