Reno City Council Suspends New Data Center Permits Amid Environmental Concerns
The Reno City Council recently made headlines by deciding to temporarily halt the issuance of conditional use permits for data center construction. This decision, supported by six out of seven council members, came amid growing environmental concerns. Council member Kathleen Taylor was the sole dissenter in the vote.
This temporary suspension is the first in a two-step initiative. On June 1st, the council will meet again to decide on the duration of the final moratorium and discuss potential guidelines for future data center projects.
The special city council meeting held on May 14th lasted nearly eight hours and attracted a large turnout, with the chamber reaching full capacity and many attendees waiting outside. Prior to the meeting, activists gathered near the iconic Believe sign, located close to the flowing Truckee River, to express their concerns.
Josh Dini, representing the Walker River Paiute Tribe and an advocate for environmental protection, emphasized the ecological implications of data center development. He joined forces with the Water over Data Alliance and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to voice these concerns.
“Our two tribes are sister tribes. We’re the Walker River watershed. They’re the Truckee River watershed. We already lost our fish. So it’s important for us to stand together as Numu relatives to support each other on these issues,” Dini stated, highlighting past ecological losses, such as the extinction of the native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout due to industrial pollution.
Data centers, which house numerous servers for high-level computing and AI operations, consume significant energy and water resources. Given that Nevada is the driest state in the U.S. and Reno is the fastest warming city, residents have raised alarms over the potential environmental impacts, including water usage and pollution.
The debate reflects a broader national concern, as highlighted by a recent Gallup poll revealing that 70% of Americans oppose local data center development for AI.
Despite the overwhelming support for the moratorium, there was notable opposition from local unions. Jacob Haas of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 401, along with other trade representatives, argued against the blanket halt, emphasizing the employment benefits data centers bring to Northern Nevada, with over 4,000 jobs created.
“They’re a huge importance to my members and it’s one of the things that’s putting food on their table, giving them the ability to buy a house, to get above poverty,” Haas expressed. He noted that although long-term jobs after construction are limited, ongoing technological advancements ensure continuous employment opportunities in the sector.
Haas also referenced tax abatement guidelines promoting local workforce hiring, indicating support for balanced development guidelines rather than a broad moratorium.
Following the council’s decision, Bree Kasper, who attended the entire marathon meeting, expressed gratitude for the council’s attention to public concerns. “Everyone is paying attention now and we are all waiting with bated breath for this final moratorium and everything that comes out of it,” Kasper remarked.
