Data centers an issue in race for attorney general
The expanding issue of data centers has become a key topic in Nevada's Attorney General race. State Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro, a candidate, is pushing for greater regulation of the industry, requesting a 2027 bill draft. Her opponent, Guzman Fralick, supports Governor Lombardo's stance, viewing data centers as crucial revenue generators for counties.
The growing impact of data centers has emerged as a significant point of contention in the race for Nevada's Attorney General. State Senator Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, a candidate for the office, has called for increased regulation of the data center industry. Senator Cannizzaro announced she has requested a 2027 bill draft from the Legislative Counsel Bureau, aiming to establish "guardrails" to protect Nevadans and address consumer protection concerns related to the expanding sector.
The issue has gained traction across the state, with residents in areas like Boulder City, Henderson, Pahrump, and Reno expressing concerns and advocating for a moratorium or stricter rules for new data center developments. Cannizzaro emphasized the Attorney General's role in safeguarding the public, stating that her proposed legislation aligns with this duty.
In contrast, Cannizzaro's Republican opponent, former Cannabis Compliance Board chairwoman Adriana Guzman Fralick, holds a different view. In an interview, Guzman Fralick highlighted the substantial tax revenue generated by data centers for local governments and indicated her support for Governor Joe Lombardo's pro-development stance. Her campaign spokesman, Keith Schipper, also questioned the scope of Cannizzaro's proposed bill, suggesting it might fall outside the typical purview of the Attorney General's office.
The debate extends beyond the Attorney General race, having also surfaced in the gubernatorial campaign. Current Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic nominee, has pledged to temporarily suspend tax breaks for data centers until an audit can verify their legal compliance. Ford, who co-sponsored the original tax break bill in 2015, noted that the legislative landscape has significantly changed with the recent boom in AI-driven data center demand.