Data centers will be on the ballot in this Southern Nevada city

Communities nationwide are increasingly divided over the rapid development of AI data centers, often cited for their substantial energy and water demands. In Boulder City, Nevada, voters will have the opportunity in November to decide on the acceptability of data centers as a land use within a specific city-owned parcel known as the Eldorado Valley Transfer Area. Mayor Joe Hardy and city spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante confirmed that developer interest prompted this ballot question, although they did not disclose the names of the interested parties. The city charter mandates voter approval for any new land use within this transfer area, which includes designated desert tortoise habitat and existing solar energy infrastructure. Separately, the Boulder City Council is slated to hold a preliminary discussion next week on a proposal from Townsite Solar 2 LLC for what could be the city's first data center. This project, linked to Skylar Capital Management, is located outside the Eldorado Valley Transfer Area and therefore does not require voter approval. The proposal indicates the developer's commitment to using only treated wastewater or dry cooling methods, aligning with a Southern Nevada moratorium on evaporative cooling that took effect in February 2024. George Rhee, a physics professor at UNLV and co-founder of the Boulder City Climate Action Group, expressed strong opposition to data centers in the Eldorado Valley, noting that all residents at public meetings have shown some degree of opposition. He criticized the lack of transparency regarding the developers behind the push, arguing it hinders informed decision-making. The article also explores the financial and environmental implications for Boulder City. The city anticipates significant revenue from existing leases in the Eldorado Valley, crucial for its general fund. Mayor Hardy highlighted the need for new revenue streams to support city services amidst inflation. While concerns about water usage are prominent, city officials suggest that selling treated wastewater to data centers could generate profit, especially as the Southern Nevada Water Authority investigates options for returning water to Lake Mead. John Entsminger, General Manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, noted the region's innovation in dry cooling technologies, citing Novva's water-free data center in North Las Vegas as an example, suggesting that future data center expansion can occur without increasing consumptive water use. The Boulder City Council's consideration of Townsite Solar 2's project marks the initial stage of a lengthy approval process.