Reno Residents Voice Concerns Over Data Center Expansion on Earth Day
On Earth Day, Reno City Hall became a hub of community engagement as concerned citizens gathered to discuss the future of data center developments. The meeting centered on agenda item C1, which proposed updating development rules for data centers and exploring a regional collaboration with neighboring areas.
Over 150 public comments were submitted, highlighting worries about the significant water and power consumption of data centers, alongside concerns about noise, water, and air pollution.
Local resident Tara de Queiroz expressed her surprise at the construction of a Centra data center near her Keystone Avenue neighborhood. “Despite being a neighbor, I had no warning about the project and have received no information about impacts to air, water and noise pollution, which are going to impact my neighborhood as well as Reno High School,” said de Queiroz.
The call for transparency in data center development was echoed by many, with de Queiroz even suggesting a potential ban on these facilities. “As one of the fastest-warming cities in the driest state in the nation, we can’t afford to sell off our quality of life to make tech companies rich,” she stated. “We should follow the lead of other communities that have decided to permanently ban data centers.”
Nevada has already seen the development of numerous high-capacity computing facilities, which support A.I. and cloud storage, sparking debate among locals and environmental advocates.
Environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter and the Indigenous-led Water over Data Alliance, joined residents in urging a moratorium on new data center constructions until stricter regulations are implemented.
The Reno City Council is set to review the potential moratorium in an upcoming meeting. Meanwhile, the proposal to update development and use regulations for data centers was passed unanimously.
