Opinion: Nevada data center shows downside to federal land ownership

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently approved the Townsite Data Center project near Boulder City, Nevada, a decision that surprised and frustrated local residents who had previously opposed data center development on city-owned land. The article, an opinion piece from the Yakima Herald-Republic, uses this project to underscore a broader issue of federal land ownership in Nevada, where the federal government controls over 80% of the state and 88% of Clark County.

Local officials' limited input on such projects means lost leverage for communities like Boulder City, which could have received an estimated $2.3 million in taxes and lease payments had the data center been built on city land. Instead, Clark County receives only minimal payments in lieu of taxes from the federal government for the vast acreage it controls. Residents have voiced concerns about pollution, the enormous power demands of data centers, and potential increased costs for Nevada ratepayers, though the Southern Nevada Water Authority's prohibition on evaporative cooling addresses some water usage worries.

The author criticizes the "unusual process" the feds used to approve the project, designed to cut red tape during environmental reviews, as it further marginalized local decision-making. The piece suggests that the Boulder City data center example could compel Democrats to support states gaining more control over property within their borders, particularly in developed regions like Clark County, to ensure local communities benefit from and have a say in major developments.