Data centers, Flock cameras and Reno's budget take center stage in tense mayoral forum
Reno mayoral candidates Kathleen Taylor and Kate Marshall clashed over data center policy, including the city’s moratorium on new approvals and the Keystone Data Center project. Marshall opposes data centers in Reno, while Taylor favors regulation rather than a ban, including limits related to water, energy, heat, noise and pollution.
Reno mayoral candidates Kathleen Taylor and former Nevada Treasurer and Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall sparred over the city’s approach to data centers at a Nevada Independent forum. The Reno City Council approved two data centers in recent years and imposed a moratorium on further approvals in June, with Taylor as the only opposing vote. Marshall said she does not support data centers within Reno, while Taylor rejected a broad ban and argued that the industry should be regulated.
The candidates also debated the Keystone Data Center near downtown, which was approved by the Reno Planning Commission without reaching the City Council. Taylor said she would have opposed the project but attended its groundbreaking to support businesses, workers and jobs in her ward. The discussion also touched on a $25 million tax incentive for a Google data center at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center and calls for regional rules addressing energy use, water, heat, noise, pollution and land use.