The Tucson City Council has unanimously moved to halt negotiations for the controversial Project Blue Data Center, which is linked to Amazon, following public dissatisfaction over the project’s transparency. Council member Nikki Lee stated that the development does not align with the sustainability goals of District 4 residents. Mayor Regina Romero announced plans to establish an ordinance to regulate data centers’ future development.
Celebrations erupted in the council room among project opponents after the vote, seen as a significant victory. However, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of Project Blue being constructed elsewhere, as a sale agreement for land has already been signed.
The council aims to develop new ordinances to impose accountability on substantial water users and to address the impacts of future data centers, with proposals set for discussion at an upcoming meeting. Additional discussions highlighted concerns regarding Tucson Electric Power’s ability to meet the energy demands of such data centers.
The process has reignited debates about the potential establishment of a public power utility in Tucson, as there are ongoing campaigns advocating for the city to take control of its energy supply. The urgency for public power has gained traction among council members and local organizers in light of the recent developments.
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