Clark County commissioners hear push for data center moratorium but take no action
Environmental activists and community members held a rally in Clark County, Nevada, demanding a moratorium on new data center approvals due to concerns over water and energy consumption. While the Clark County Commission discussed data center application processes, they took no specific action or laid out new regulations during the meeting. The opposition also criticized a previous approval for a Switch data center expansion and tax abatements for the industry.
Environmental activists, spearheaded by the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, rallied outside the Clark County Commission's office in Nevada, demanding a moratorium on new data center approvals. They cited significant concerns over water and energy consumption, and the perceived lack of accountability for data center developers. Despite the protests and a scheduled general discussion by the commissioners on data center approval criteria, no specific plans or regulations were laid out during the meeting.
Community members, including Tony Chavez from various progressive organizations, spoke during the public comment period, highlighting the detrimental impact of data centers on the ecosystem and questioning the accessibility of commission meetings held during working hours. Vinny Spotleson, a Democratic candidate for Nevada State Assembly District 41 and Sierra Club member, criticized Governor Joe Lombardo for allowing data centers to receive millions in tax abatements while consuming vital resources.
Kevin Castellanos, another Sierra Club member, voiced disappointment over the previous month's approval of an expansion for Switch's data center campus, despite its use of a closed-loop water system. Commissioner April Becker pushed back, clarifying that a recent approval was for a driveway configuration, not a general data center expansion. Commissioner William McCurdy II acknowledged data centers as a "significant issue" for the region and expressed a desire for uniform standards and regulations, though no immediate action was taken by the commission.