As large scale data centers set their sights on Arizona, the City of Tucson is working on regulations to manage their impact.
On Thursday, city officials hosted their first of four public meetings at Pueblo High School to solicit public feedback, answer questions and share draft language for a zoning code amendment that would establish a definition for large-scale data centers and determine how and where they would be permitted and specific use standards.
Some of the standards that Tucson officials are proposing include a designated area for large-scale data centers, required setbacks from property lines, proof of adequate energy and water supply at the time of application, renewable energy requirements, the restriction of potable water use for cooling purposes, the establishment of decibel limits as well as design and landscaping standards.
Daniel Bursuck, planning administrator with Tucson’s Planning and Development Services, said officials are also looking at establishing a public process for any data center that comes into the city.
“That would be requirement for notification, requirement for neighborhood meetings, public hearing with our zoning examiner as well as an ultimate decision for our mayor and council in those regulations,” he said.
The proposed amendment is to “provide regulatory clarity” while also ensuring compliance with several of the city’s initiatives such as Plan Tucson, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and One Water 2100.
It also comes from the direction of the Mayor and Council which requested the development of standards for large-scale data centers within city limits, after unanimously rejecting all involvement with Project Blue last summer.
Bursuck said that a group of subject-matter experts or the Technical Advisory Committee has helped guide initial recommendations over the past three months.
“Looking at noise regulations, looking at some regulations related to water, related to documenting energy use to make sure that when these proposals do come in front of Mayor and Council, they’re able to make an educated decision on whether or not it is worth potentially approving something of that sort,” he said.
Dozens of people attended Thursday’s meeting, including Emma Nichols who said that there should be major restrictions on data centers out of concern for water.
“How much of our water they can’t or even if they can use our water, I’m willing for them to use recycled water but not our drinking water, not our clean drinking water,” she said. Nichols’ friend Draven G. also shared concerns over noise control and design standards.
Potential data center users would have to adhere to a large water user ordinance that was passed in August.
Vivek Bharathan with the No Desert Data Center Coalition says that despite regulations to restrict data center use, the advocacy group’s position remains the same.
“Not one drop for data,” he said. “We have a litany of reasons why, from the fact that it increases energy use at a time when we should be restricting and lowering our energy generation and consumption.”
The rising costs of energy consumption is also a concern for Lee Ziesch with the Tucson Democratic Socialists of America.
The group has been advocating for Tucson to own and operate its own electrical grid.
“They can’t regulate what kind of energy and power is being used for these data centers and that’s a huge concern for us,” she said. “We really need a public power utility if we’re going to have control over our energy system.”
Thursday’s presentation got off to a rocky start – some in attendance wanted to have a conversation during the presentation, while others criticized the lack of available information prior to the meeting.
City officials had scheduled a time for questions and feedback during the open house at the beginning of the public meeting and afterwards.
The next public meetings are scheduled for:
- Monday, Feb. 23 from 5-7 p.m. virtually
- Wednesday, March 4 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. virtually
- Thursday, March 5 from 6 - 8 p.m. in-person at Rincon/ University High School at 421 N Arcadia Ave
Those who are interested to learn more about Tucson’s Data Center Code Amendment, how to tune into a public meeting or leave comments on the proposal can visit the city’s webpage.
