This Nevada city rejected a data center, so the developer turned to federal land
Boulder City, Nevada, plans to appeal the Bureau of Land Management's approval of the Townsite Data Center on federal land, after the city itself had rejected the project. City officials claim the federal government circumvented local processes, expressing concerns over environmental impact and water consumption. The city intends to submit an appeal and a 'stay' to halt the project.
Officials in Boulder City, Nevada, are challenging the federal government's decision to approve the Townsite Data Center on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, following the city's previous rejection of the project. The proposed 81-acre data center in the Eldorado Valley desert, adjacent to Boulder City, was approved by the BLM on June 26, prompting immediate plans for appeal from local leaders.
The developer, Houston-based Townsite Solar 2, LLC, initially secured federal approval in 2023 for a solar and battery storage facility on the site, but amended its application in 2025 to include a data center. Boulder City's council subsequently voted against allowing the data center to proceed without a new application process. City Attorney Brittany Walker criticized the BLM for not consulting with local authorities, suggesting the federal government circumvented standard procedures, potentially influenced by President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14318 aimed at streamlining data center permitting.
Local leaders, including Councilman Steve Walton, expressed strong disapproval of the federal approval, citing a lack of typical environmental studies and residents' concerns over increased water consumption in the drought-stricken region. Boulder City plans to submit an appeal and a "stay" by July 27 to prevent the project from moving forward. This situation is seen by city officials as a crucial test case against federal overreach impacting local communities.