How should Arizona handle data centers? Attorney General Kris Mayes, Warren Petersen disagree
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Senate President Warren Petersen are deeply divided on how the state should approach data center development. Mayes advocates for a temporary moratorium and a new community-centric approval process due to water cuts and utility rate hikes. Petersen opposes a moratorium, arguing data centers are essential and should be responsible for their own power and water.
Attorney General Kris Mayes and Senate President Warren Petersen are at odds over the future of data center development in Arizona, a division highlighted during a recent Clean Elections debate. The debate centered on Mayes' proposal for a temporary halt on new data centers.
Mayes asserted that a pause is necessary for Arizona to develop a comprehensive strategy for these facilities, especially in light of cuts to the state's share of Colorado River water and anticipated utility rate increases. She proposed a new approval process that would empower communities to vote on data center projects and establish a commission, similar to the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, to review proposals before they go to the governor or attorney general. Mayes emphasized concerns about hyperscale data centers being built in residential areas without community input.
Conversely, Petersen rejected the idea of a moratorium, arguing that it would mirror a philosophy of