Nye County commissioners approve ban on data centers in Pahrump Water Basin 162
Nye County commissioners approved a ban on data centers in Pahrump Water Basin 162 following extensive public comment. Residents expressed significant concerns about water usage, noise, and land impacts from a proposed data center project. The ban came after a proposal to let voters decide on the issue was deemed unfeasible due to ballot deadlines.
The Nye County Commission recently approved a ban on data centers within Pahrump Water Basin 162 after a contentious meeting that included hours of public comment. Residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed data center, citing concerns over water consumption, noise, light pollution, and impacts on the local water table. Support for the project was minimal, with one union representative, Lou DeSalvio, president of Laborers Local 872, arguing for job creation.
The debate also touched upon the "Manse Technology Campus" and the broader issue of solar panel farm applications, with residents pushing back against changes to planning and zoning language. Commissioner Bruce Jabbour of District 1 had initially proposed a special election to let voters decide on a data center ban, but this was deemed unfeasible due to missed ballot deadlines, leaving the decision to the commissioners. The ban effectively blocks future data center development in the specified water basin.