Boulder City council unanimously appeals BLM approval of data center planned for Eldorado Valley
Boulder City Council unanimously voted to appeal the Bureau of Land Management's approval for a data center planned for Eldorado Valley, just outside city limits. This action reflects the council and community's opposition to the project. The city had previously anticipated revenue from a different solar project, which was withdrawn.
Boulder City Council has unanimously voted to appeal the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) approval for a new data center in the Eldorado Valley desert, just outside the city's limits. The decision on Tuesday night came amidst strong community opposition, with residents expressing frustration over the project's perceived pre-approval and lack of local control.
Council members echoed these sentiments, with one stating that the decision to approve the data center felt "taken out of our hands." The dispute centers on a federal right-of-way application on BLM land, which the city argues falls outside its jurisdiction for direct approval or rejection. This data center project is replacing a previously planned solar and battery project by Nextdoor Solar, which pulled its application for a facility within Boulder City limits.
While Boulder City officials had previously expected millions in revenue from Nextdoor Solar's initial project, the current data center plan, now outside city limits and approved by the BLM, is facing a strong challenge. The council's unanimous vote signifies their intent to fight the federal approval, highlighting ongoing conversations about data center development in Nevada. The appeal was made within the 30-day window following the BLM's June 26th decision.