Tucson groups turn climate anxiety into action
Youth climate activists and other Tucson groups are opposing Project Blue, a proposed data center north of the Pima County Fairgrounds, citing risks to the region’s scarce water supplies and electric grid. Although the Tucson City Council unanimously rejected the project in 2025, Beale Infrastructure is continuing to pursue it under a previous land annexation agreement with Pima County.
Tucson climate activists, including Arizona Youth Climate Coalition members Gabe Sadza and Sophia Garcia, are organizing opposition to Project Blue, a proposed data center north of the Pima County Fairgrounds. At an August town hall, participants raised concerns about the project’s potential effects on Tucson’s already limited water resources, electric grid and vulnerable neighborhoods.
The Tucson City Council unanimously rejected Project Blue in 2025, but developer Beale Infrastructure has continued moving forward under an earlier land annexation agreement with Pima County. While Pima County Economic Development describes data centers as essential infrastructure, activists argue their economic benefits do not outweigh the environmental and utility impacts and are calling for stronger data center regulations.