Huffman leads charge against data centers on public lands
Rep. Jared Huffman and other lawmakers are demanding answers from the Department of the Interior regarding proposals to build data centers on public lands across several Western states, citing concerns over a lack of environmental review and public involvement. They highlighted a project in Boulder City, Nevada, which was approved without additional environmental review for a data center and is now facing legal challenges. Lawmakers also expressed worry about the potential strain on electricity resources and the administration's efforts to streamline reviews that could impact tribal nations.
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, along with several congressional colleagues, has issued a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, demanding transparency and accountability regarding proposals to construct data centers on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reportedly reviewing at least a dozen such proposals covering over 17,600 acres in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.
The lawmakers expressed strong opposition to what they perceive as