Pima County Approves Controversial Data Center Deal Amidst Heated Debate
Pima County has recently approved a contentious agreement with Beale Infrastructure for the development of a large-scale data center, known as Project Blue, on a 290-acre site in southeastern Tucson. This decision comes after significant deliberation and opposition from various community groups.
The agreement outlines Beale’s obligations and the anticipated benefits of the data center. However, some supervisors have expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on public health. Supervisor Andrés Cano highlighted Tucson’s history of industrial challenges, particularly in areas affected by chemical contamination due to defense contractors and military activities.
Cano emphasized, “We cannot rush deals like this for short term gains, because the costs do not stay short term. They linger, in our bodies, in our neighborhoods, and in our public trust.” He has been a vocal opponent of the project, consistently voting against it along with one other supervisor.
On the other hand, Supervisor Rex Scott, a proponent of the project, defended it by highlighting measures included in the agreement to safeguard residents from increased utility costs. He stated, “What this memorandum of agreement provides is a path forward for ensuring that Beale’s commitment to match 100% of its energy consumption with renewable energy is met.”
Scott also reassured that Beale will implement a closed-loop system for cooling, eliminating the need for city water — a change from the original plan which required evaporative cooling. This modification was crucial after the city rejected Beale’s initial proposal to utilize Tucson’s water resources.
The approval passed with a narrow 3-2 vote during a board meeting, where both opposition groups, such as the No Desert Data Coalition, and supporters, including union workers, voiced their opinions. This development follows the Arizona Corporation Commission’s earlier approval of a partnership allowing Beale to use electricity from Tucson Electric Power for cooling the facility.
