LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Dozens of Boulder City residents showed up to push back against a proposed AI data center on 88 acres of open desert as the developer held its first public meeting Tuesday evening.
The developer of the Townsite Solar 2 project, or TS2, said it would bring economic benefits to Boulder City, which is facing a budget gap. The project would bring in $2.6 million in the first year and about $1.5 million each year after that, according to the developer. It would also bring 200-300 jobs during build out and 25-40 permanent jobs paying more than $100,000.
“We’re going to listen, and we’re going to adapt and try to make this project the best data center in the entire country,” said Richard Lammers, manager of development for Skylar Opportunities, owner of the Townsite Solar 2 project.
Residents raise concerns
Last week, about 20 residents opposed to the project met FOX5 at the site where it would be built. They had concerns about the environmental impact and their electric bills going up.
Tuesday, the developer said the facility will not connect to the city’s power system.
“They say it won’t use any water. It won’t affect our energy costs. There’s no significant heat footprint. All these things are false, in my opinion,” said George Rhee, a Boulder City resident. “We’re going to have to face the music if they build this thing… so I think I’m very skeptical.”
Developer makes changes to plan
The developer said it has already made changes to the plan. Previously, the developer looked into purchasing effluent, or liquid wastewater, from the city to cool the building. Because of concerns raised by the city and some citizens, and the ban on evaporative cooling in southern Nevada, the developer adjusted its plan.
“Rather than try to continue to push that issue, even though we think it would be better for the project and create more revenue for the city, we elected to pivot to an air-cooled closed-loop system,” Lammers said.
Lammers said the facility is 2.8 miles from the nearest residence of Boulder City.
“No citizen in Boulder City will be able to hear it. No citizen would be impacted by the heat just because of the separation of distance,” he said.
During construction, TS2 will still seek to purchase up to 900,000 gallons per day of waste effluent from the city for dust control.
The developer pledged there would be no impact on local wetlands, no effect on Lake Mead and potable water use would be limited to restrooms and kitchen.
“I think they’re making a very misleading case, which is their job. I mean, they’re salesmen. They’re here to make a push for representing a company,” Rhee said. “I just don’t buy it from a climate change perspective, these things are a disaster.”
“I can see that there’s been some changes,” said resident Timothy Phillips. Phillips shared while he appreciates the community meeting addressing concerns, he would like to see an independent study to gain community trust.
“If it goes through, it would help alleviate a lot of the concerns of the people, yay or nay,” said Phillips.
The developer said it will have more community feedback meetings before construction starts.
A Change.org petition against the project has gathered nearly 2,200 signatures since it was created two weeks ago.
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