Residents fight back as tech companies attempt to flood community with data centers

A burgeoning grassroots movement is challenging the rapid expansion of data centers across Arizona, as residents question the economic benefits against significant environmental and community costs. Locals express concern that their neighborhoods are being transformed by large industrial facilities demanding substantial amounts of electricity and water, resources already scarce in the drought-afflicted Southwest. In Chandler, residents raised alarms with the city council over a proposed 40-acre "tech park" projected to consume nearly 50,000 gallons of water daily, amid declining groundwater and reduced access to the Colorado River. Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke acknowledged the concerns, stating, "Just because we can build something doesn't mean we should." Similar developments, including "Project Blue" near Tucson and another near Marana, are also facing local opposition. Organizations such as Don't Waste Arizona and the No Desert Data Center Coalition, alongside political groups like the Party for Socialism and Liberation Phoenix, are mobilizing communities and advocating for corporate accountability regarding environmental impacts, responsible water use, and renewable energy. Organizers, including Lexsiri Coronado, highlight worries about rising electricity rates and the broader societal implications of AI, arguing against technology being used to displace workers. Stephen Brittle of Don't Waste Arizona notes a growing nationwide awareness of such issues.