City to appeal BLM’s data center plan
Boulder City officials are appealing a federal decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve a data center on public land, bypassing local land use processes. Residents and city council members expressed strong opposition, citing concerns over power, water usage, and environmental impacts. The city is seeking to challenge the BLM's approval, which developer Skylar Capital Management received for its Townsite Solar 2 data center project.
Boulder City officials are challenging a federal decision by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that approved a data center on public land, effectively circumventing the city's local land management process. The Boulder City Council voted unanimously to appeal the BLM's decision, arguing that the agency failed to follow proper procedures and did not consult the city or collect public comment.
Residents and councilmembers, including City Attorney Brittany Walker and Councilmember Steve Walton, criticized the BLM's determination that an environmental review for a previously approved solar farm was sufficient for the data center project. The developer, Houston-based Townsite Solar 2, a subsidiary of Skylar Capital Management, had initially sought local approval, which the Boulder City Planning Commission recommended rejecting due to resident opposition.
The proposed data center has generated significant local opposition due to concerns about massive power demands, potential strain on the state's utility grid, and environmental impacts such as air pollution from backup generators and noise. While the Southern Nevada Water Authority's ban on evaporative cooling restricts water-intensive methods, this often leads to increased power consumption. Discussions are also underway regarding the possibility of Boulder City implementing a moratorium on data center development, following the example of Reno and considerations by Nye County and Henderson City Council.