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Arizona Residents Fight Data Centers Amid Looming Water Cuts

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents in Tucson, Arizona, are opposing the construction of two large data centers due to concerns over water consumption.
  • The region is experiencing an extreme drought, with looming water cuts from the Colorado River.
  • Activists argue the data centers would be unsustainable given the severe water scarcity and rising temperatures.

In Tucson, Arizona, a growing movement of residents is fighting against the construction of two massive data centers, citing critical concerns over the region's already strained water resources. Marisol Winfrey Herrera, a local resident, has instilled water-saving habits in her young daughter, a practice that underscores the community's deep-seated awareness of water scarcity.

We are in the middle of a 30-year drought, which is now an extreme drought.

— Lisa ShipekCo-executive director of the Watershed Management Group, highlighting the severity of the drought in Arizona.

Herrera is part of the No Desert Data Center group, which opposes a $3.6 billion project on the city's southeast edge and a $5 billion project in the nearby town of Marana. The group fears these facilities, collectively known as Project Blue, will consume more water and power than the Sonoran Desert can sustain. "We are in the middle of a 30-year drought, which is now an extreme drought," stated Lisa Shipek, co-executive director of the Watershed Management Group, a Tucson-based nonprofit.

Water was a unifying theme in our campaign. The Colorado River cuts are looming, and this project would take water away.

— Marisol Winfrey HerreraA resident and activist opposing the data centers, explaining the campaign's focus on water resources.

The situation is exacerbated by the looming water cuts from the Colorado River, a primary water source for Tucson via the Central Arizona Project canal system. Water flows have significantly decreased due to climate change, leading to predictions of severe water restrictions for the state. "Water was a unifying theme in our campaign. The Colorado River cuts are looming, and this project would take water away," Herrera told Al Jazeera.

Not for many issues do we get so much response.

— City Councillor Kevin DahlCommenting on the significant public turnout at city council meetings to oppose the data center project.

Residents are rallying with the slogan, "Not One Drop for data centers," a plea that resonates deeply as Tucson experiences record-breaking heat. City Councillor Kevin Dahl has witnessed hundreds of residents attending council meetings to voice their opposition, a level of engagement he notes is rare for many issues. Beale Infrastructure, the company behind Project Blue, has proposed the data centers as an economic engine, promising thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions. However, the company did not respond to requests for comment.

Not One Drop for data centres

— Marisol Winfrey HerreraArticulating the campaign's strong stance against diverting water to data centers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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