Tucson Rejects Massive Data Center Over Environmental Worries

When businesses come to Southeastern Arizona, the hope is that they provide more than they take, and in the desert, that can be a very delicate balance.

Citizens want industries to:

• Provide good, well-paying jobs
• Bring a product or service that will enhance our community
• Grow our economy
• Add benefit to the area

Residents are rejecting industries that challenge Arizona's delicate ecosystem and environment. Any industry that consumes excessive water and causes potential harm to the environment, especially when it fails to create a substantial number of jobs, is definitely a showstopper.

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What is Project Blue in Tucson?

Project Blue was a proposed $3.6 billion data center that would have been built in southeast Tucson. The project was being pushed to expand AWS (Amazon Web Services) data center and was valued at over $3.6 billion.

The project was pushed by Beale Infrastructure and backed by Humphrey’s Peak Properties. It would have been built on 290 acres near Houghton Road and the Pima County Fairgrounds. The Project Blue campus would have featured about 10 buildings and covered around 2.5 million square feet.

Last week, the project was officially rejected by the Tucson City Council after it met intense public opposition. 

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Project Blue and the 'Promise' of Economic Growth, the Environmental Reality

The project could have provided economic growth to Tucson, according to the builders and investors. Building Project Blue would have provided around 5,000 construction-related jobs and 180 permanent jobs with average salaries of $64,000.

But from the very beginning, the project attracted massive backlash, primarily over environmental concerns. The main sticking point is one we're keenly aware of in the desert: water usage.

Although developers promised to use 100% reclaimed water and fund an 18-mile pipeline and a 30-acre aquifer recharge facility, residents were highly concerned about the strain on Tucson’s already limited water resources.

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Then there's the massive electricity usage. The center would have been one of Tucson Electric Power’s largest customers and would have required a significant energy infrastructure.

Project Blue: Failed in Tucson

The developers had a clean energy agreement, but the project required annexation by the City of Tucson in order to have access to municipal water. Ultimately, annexation failed, which put an end to the project.

Tucson's citizens and council members banded together and voiced concerns. They claimed the project didn’t align with Tucson’s climate goals or long-term vision.

The final nail in the coffin was the unanimous 7-0 vote to reject the proposal.

Project Blue Regroups, Targets Marana

As you can imagine, this is not the end of Project Blue. The developers have regrouped and turned their attention to Marana, where preliminary discussions are taking place.

This is in the early stages, but Marana is one of the locations developers believe may be ideal. Marana's irrigation district and open land could make it a viable alternative. Nothing has been formalized with the city, yet.

This project is still slated to be built in the desert and will encounter the same issues. The difference may be in the hands of the citizens of Western Pima County.

Sources: Construction Review Online | Tucson Government | Data Center Canceled | Arizona Luminaria