The One-Gigawatt Gamble: Who Truly Pays for the Data Center’s Hidden Costs?

Hollybrook and Huntley LLC are proposing a one-gigawatt data center in Page, Arizona, a project generating significant debate over its "invisible infrastructure" costs and long-term consequences. Despite developer Keith Moran's assurances that initial transmission and road expenses will be fully borne by Huntley LLC, concerns persist regarding the systemic risks posed to Page Utility Enterprises (PUE) and city ratepayers. A central tension revolves around the project's massive regional water footprint; generating one gigawatt through natural gas plants could consume approximately 75,188 acre-feet of water annually at the generation source, a critical issue amidst Arizona's Colorado River crisis. Additionally, the thermodynamic realities of the facility, even with "dry cooling," could create localized "Data Heat Islands," potentially increasing Page's atmospheric temperature by up to 9.1°C and raising residential utility bills. Councilor Tom Preller emphasized that energy is merely moved, not destroyed. Crucially, Moran admitted that grid capacity is an "absolute deal-breaker"; if a reliable power supply cannot be confirmed on acceptable commercial terms, the project will not proceed. The community of Page now faces a decision, with an August election approaching, to weigh projected annual tax revenue against the environmental and resource implications of tethering its future to a global energy market. The article concludes by highlighting that if power procurement hurdles aren't overcome, the City of Page retains the land and non-refundable payments.