AI data center deals must be carefully crafted, EPA chief says in Las Vegas

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin visited Las Vegas, Nevada, to engage with business leaders and observe local efforts related to environmental mitigation and the burgeoning AI data center industry. During a roundtable at the Vegas Chamber and a tour of a Switch AI data center and Symphony Park, Zeldin underscored the importance of addressing past pollution and minimizing future environmental impacts as the country reconciles with rapid industrial growth. Zeldin's discussions focused on the significant energy and water demands posed by AI data centers, an industry rapidly expanding in Nevada, particularly in areas like the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center. He highlighted Southern Nevada's proactive stance on water conservation, specifically Las Vegas's ban on evaporative cooling systems for new commercial properties, including data centers. This policy, which mandates closed-loop or air-cooling systems, is being considered as a model for a potential statewide regulation to conserve water. The EPA chief also addressed the critical need for sustainable energy solutions. He noted the immense strain on utilities like NV Energy, which serves Las Vegas and Reno and faces requests to quadruple its peak energy capacity to accommodate pending data center projects. Zeldin praised Google's data center in West Memphis, Arkansas, which is powered by a solar farm and battery storage, as an exemplary instance of a data center deal structured to provide