Proposed Palm Beach County data center plan revised ahead of July zoning hearing
A proposed data center, Project Tango, in Western Palm Beach County, Florida, has been revised following community concerns about noise, water, and power usage. Project manager Ernie Cox addressed feedback by expanding the facility and relocating cooling equipment to mitigate noise. The updated plan will be presented at a zoning hearing on July 15th.
Project Tango, a proposed data center in Western Palm Beach County, Florida, has ignited months of public debate concerning its proximity to residential areas and a school, along with significant worries about its water and power consumption and potential noise impact. Project Manager Ernie Cox, representing the undisclosed tech company behind Tango, has acknowledged community feedback and consequently redesigned the project plan, which is slated for presentation to the county on July 15th.
The revised proposal details an expansion of the data center buildings from over 1 million to 1.5 million square feet. To alleviate noise concerns, the cooling equipment has been strategically relocated further west and will be enclosed within a concrete structure. A noise study suggests that nearby homes would experience sound levels around 45 decibels, falling below the county's 60-decibel limit.
Regarding energy, Governor Ron DeSantis recently enacted a law preventing utility companies like Florida Power & Light (FPL) from transferring increased electricity costs from large industrial users to residents. FPL, serving both residential and industrial customers, maintains a specific tariff structure requiring major users to cover both their energy usage and the associated infrastructure costs.
Water usage, a critical concern given the substantial water demands of many data centers for cooling, is addressed through a closed-loop cooling system that recirculates water, thereby minimizing daily consumption. While human operations within the facility are projected to use approximately 5,000 gallons per day, the cooling system itself will not consume water daily. The identity of the tech company developing Project Tango remains confidential due to a non-disclosure agreement signed by Cox, who stressed ongoing engagement with residents ahead of the zoning board meeting.