Lyon County commissioners approve Monarch data center near Yerington
Lyon County commissioners have approved a planned unit development rezoning request for the Monarch data center and an associated gas-fired power plant near Yerington, Nevada. This approval came despite extensive public opposition, including concerns raised by the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter about environmental impacts.
Lyon County commissioners voted 3-1 to approve a planned unit development rezoning request for the proposed Monarch data center near Yerington, Nevada, despite significant public opposition. The project also includes an associated gas-fired power plant.
The development plan encompasses 4.6 million square feet across eight two-story buildings, along with 500 MW of battery energy storage, 500 MW of natural-gas backup generation, a substation, and high-voltage power lines on 505.40 acres.
The Lyon County Planning Commission had previously recommended approval by a 4-3 vote. Opposition groups, including the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, voiced concerns regarding the project's potential impacts on water resources, energy demand, air quality, noise, public infrastructure, and the long-term effects of a hyperscale data center and gas plant complex in the county.