AMPLIFIED: Boulder City residents raise concerns over proposed AI data center
News Clip7:44FOX5 Las Vegas·Boulder City, Clark County, NV·4/18/2026
Boulder City, Nevada, residents are voicing strong opposition to a proposed AI data center, Townsite 2, citing concerns over electricity use, heat generation, and environmental impact. A protest is planned before the upcoming Planning Commission meeting where the project will be reviewed. Developers highlight potential economic benefits for the city.
oppositionenvironmentalelectricitywatergovernmentzoning
Gov: Boulder City, Planning Commission
Residents of Boulder City, Nevada, are raising significant concerns about a proposed AI data center, named Townsite 2, slated for development near the existing Townsite One Solar Project. The proposal has drawn strong opposition from dozens of homeowners who fear the facility's impact on their community and local environment.
The primary worries articulated by residents include the potential for increased electricity bills due to the data center's immense power demands and the heat it would generate, exacerbating Boulder City's already fast-warming climate. Although developers claim the data center will use independent power sources and not the city's grid, residents remain skeptical about indirect impacts on their home cooling costs. Environmental concerns also loom large, particularly regarding the site's proximity to wetlands and protected species like desert tortoises, despite developers' assurances of tortoise-friendly fencing and relocation efforts. The developers plan to use city wastewater for dust mitigation during construction, but minimal city water for operations.
From an economic standpoint, developers argue the data center would provide a substantial financial boost to Boulder City, which is facing a financial gap. They project $2.5 million in tax revenue in the first year and $1.5 million annually thereafter, along with 40 full-time jobs offering over $100,000 salaries. The project involves a 90-year lease, with a commitment to restore the land post-operation, though residents express cynicism given the timeframe.
The opposition is mobilizing, with a large protest scheduled for April 15th ahead of the Boulder City Planning Commission meeting. This commission will decide whether to advance the project to the next stage. The conflict highlights a broader tension between the rapid expansion of AI data centers across Nevada and other states, and local communities' desires to preserve their small-town character and environmental integrity.