AMES Construction failed inspection of the Project Blue worksite in Tucson, officials say

The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) has issued a Notice of Violation to AMES Construction, the contractor for "Project Blue" in Tucson, Arizona. County officials stated that during inspections on May 8 and May 11, AMES failed to implement adequate dust control measures, resulting in visible fugitive dust emissions crossing property boundary lines. Project Blue, located north of the Pima County Fairgrounds along South Harrison Road, is a large data center campus planned by Beale Infrastructure. The PDEQ has ordered AMES Construction to immediately comply with regulations, submit a corrective action plan, and ensure water is available on-site for dust suppression. Violations of this nature in Arizona can incur fines of up to $10,000 per day per violation. Pima County officials emphasized that their fugitive dust program aims to educate contractors on controlling dust emissions to protect air quality and public health, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions. Dust can exacerbate health issues, contribute to illnesses like Valley fever, and create safety hazards by reducing visibility.