It’s concerning to see the opposition to data centers in Nevada gathering steam. The AI train is rolling, and it doesn’t make sense that we don’t want it to stop and help expand our state’s industrial base. The NIMBY’s are the 21st century equivalent of the Luddites, fearing progress because they can’t see the opportunities this new technology will bring to America and the world.
The two biggest concerns with data centers are power and cooling. My suggestion is that Nevada require companies to build their own power generation, employ “closed loop” cooling systems and set reasonable limits on tax breaks for the companies moving in. We have all the natural gas needed to power these generation plants and compact nuclear power is on the foreseeable horizon. Closed-loop cooling is already in use and solves the vast majority of the water use problem, so let’s go.
Letting these opportunities slip away to other states that are more forward-thinking short-changes all of us, and the data center opportunity is a whole lot better than subsidizing movie studios with tax credits that haven’t worked in many other states. Growing Nevada business is critical, and the AI data centers are knocking at our door. Let’s answer them in a responsible manner.
