Palm Beach community pushes back against planned data center
A $2.6 billion data center project, Project Tango, planned for western Palm Beach County, Florida, is facing increasing community opposition. Concerns revolve around its proximity to an elementary school, potential noise levels from over 600 fans, and daily potable water usage. The Palm Beach County School Board has formally expressed concerns, and the final county commission zoning hearing is scheduled for July 15.
Project Tango, a proposed $2.6 billion data center spanning 200 acres in western Palm Beach County, Florida, is encountering significant community resistance. The Palm Beach County Commission is slated to hold its final zoning hearing for the project on July 15, amid growing concerns from local residents and officials.
The Palm Beach County School Board recently voted to send a letter to county commissioners, expressing reservations about the data center's location, which is planned to be approximately 2,000 feet from an elementary school, with some suggesting it could be as close as 1,200 feet. Board Chair Karen Brill stated her concern was primarily over proximity, while Board Member Marcia Andrews, representing District 6, openly opposed the project due to its closeness to a school.
Opposition groups, including the Western Palm Beach County Community Alliance, voiced concerns at the school board meeting about potential noise and vibration from an estimated 600 fans, as highlighted by Sharon Merchant. The project also faces scrutiny over its proposed use of 5,000 gallons of potable water daily, despite utilizing a closed-loop cooling system. While the company behind Project Tango claims sound levels will be within regulatory thresholds and plans noise control measures, the community remains unconvinced.