Nye County Commissioners Approve Data Center Ban in Pahrump Area
The Nye County Board of Commissioners approved a data center ban in the Pahrump area, a decision largely welcomed by residents concerned about groundwater and environmental impacts. While the ban doesn't apply county-wide, commissioners plan to establish rules for future data center development in other parts of the county. The status of a major proposed project, the Manse Technology Campus, remains uncertain.
The Nye County Board of Commissioners enacted a data center ban specifically for the Pahrump area and Water Basin 162 following a nine-hour meeting. The decision was met with approval from many local residents, including Kelly Stillwell, who cited environmental concerns, particularly regarding groundwater, as a primary reason for supporting the ban.
Conversely, a minority of residents, like William Grubel, opposed the ban, arguing that Pahrump would lose significant economic benefits. Grubel reported receiving threats over social media due to his pro-data center stance. Another resident, Toni Hoverman, was removed from the meeting after making a sharp comment regarding potential public anger.
While the ban is localized, the commissioners also decided to develop new rules and regulations for data center companies wishing to establish facilities in other parts of Nye County. These guidelines are expected to be discussed in a special meeting on September 14. The status of the Manse Technology Campus, a proposed $18 billion, 900-acre data center project in the Manse Road Corridor, remains unclear following the ban.