Boulder City residents push back on proposed AI data center at developer’s first public meeting
Boulder City residents are actively opposing a proposed AI data center project, Townsite Solar 2, citing environmental concerns and potential increases in electricity bills. Developer Richard Lammers met with the community to address these issues, promising to adapt the project to minimize resource use, but residents remain unconvinced and continue to protest the development.
Boulder City residents are expressing strong opposition to a proposed AI data center, known as the Townsite Solar 2 (TS2) project, citing environmental concerns and potential rises in electric bills. During the developer's first public meeting, dozens of residents gathered to push back against the plan, asserting that such a facility does not belong in their small town.
Richard Lammers, the project's developer, met with the community to outline the proposal, highlighting its potential financial benefits for Boulder City, which is currently facing a budget deficit. He stated the project could generate $2.6 million in its first year and approximately $1.5 million annually thereafter, in addition to creating 200-300 construction jobs and 25-40 permanent positions paying over $100,000. Lammers assured residents that the project would be built responsibly, minimizing the use of water and addressing electricity concerns, stating, "We're going to listen, and we're going to adapt and try to make this project the best data center in the entire country."
Despite the developer's assurances, many residents remain skeptical. One resident criticized the developer's presentation as a "misleading case," calling them "salesmen" and stating, "I just don't buy it. From a climate change perspective, these things are a disaster." The community's concerns, including environmental impact and increased utility costs, were previously highlighted by Fox 5 in a report last week.