No land? No problem: Why many Nevada data centers don't own the land they're asking to develop
Copia Power is proposing the Monarch Data Center, a 4.6 million-square-foot complex in rural Lyon County, Nevada, on land it does not yet own. This common development practice allows developers to secure necessary government approvals, like a crucial zone change, before finalizing land purchases. The project faces significant public opposition due to its massive electricity and water demands, with Lyon County commissioners scheduled to vote on the zone change this week.
Copia Power has unveiled plans for the Monarch Data Center, a massive 4.6 million-square-foot facility spanning 505 acres in rural Lyon County, Nevada. The developer currently holds an option agreement to purchase the land, a common strategy for large-scale projects, allowing them to secure necessary government approvals before a costly land acquisition. Lyon County commissioners are slated to vote this Thursday on a critical zone change required for the project to proceed.
The proposed 1,000-megawatt data center, which would consume power equivalent to roughly half of Hoover Dam's maximum generating capacity, has drawn sharp opposition from local residents. Concerns center on the project's substantial demands on local water, power, and infrastructure, as well as its location within Mason Valley, an area characterized by agricultural and rural-residential land. Critics also highlight potential impacts on nearby wells, ranchland, and the Walker River, alongside a perceived lack of consultation with the Walker River Paiute and Yerington Paiute tribes.
According to Sara Bronin, a George Washington University law professor, and Jeremy Smith, director of regional planning at Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, this phased approach to land acquisition is a risk-averse strategy. Developers typically avoid outright purchases before securing zoning entitlements, especially when the land is not already zoned for their intended use. The Monarch project's site is currently zoned "rural residential," necessitating a change for the data center campus.
The zone change represents the project's second major hurdle, following a master plan amendment that faced heavy public opposition and a six-month delay before its approval in December 2025. The planning commission previously voted 4-3 on July 14, 2026, to recommend approval of Monarch's Planned Unit Development (PUD) zone change to the county commission. If approved, Copia Power would then exercise its option to purchase the rezoned land, making the transaction publicly visible through recorded deeds and ownership changes.