In Chandler, Arizona, the debate over data centers is intensifying amidst the backdrop of rising energy costs. Residents like Andy and Carrie Hoefer have recently discovered the presence of ten existing data centers near their home, raising concerns about a proposed new facility that would add to the city’s technological footprint.
Overview of Chandler’s Data Center Landscape
Chandler has been grappling with the implications of becoming a data center hub. Once a land of farms, the city has transformed into a center for tech companies, including Intel, which opened a facility in 1980. The growth in data centers began post-Great Recession when older sites, like the Motorola facility, failed to attract tenants.
The Current Proposal
A controversial project has been proposed, a $2.5 billion technology park that would include a data center larger than any current facility in the city. This new center is projected to be as long as a football field and seven stories tall. Proponents argue it positions Chandler as a leader in artificial intelligence, while city staff have expressed concerns over its potential negative impacts.
- Investment: $2.5 billion technology park
- Size: Larger than existing centers, seven stories high
- Projected Job Creation: Concerns that data centers create few jobs per square foot
Community Response
Residents are pushing back against the project. Emails opposing the new data center have outnumbered supporters more than 20 to 1. Activists like Andy Hoefer have mobilized their neighbors by sending postcards and going door-to-door to express their concerns about living near multiple data centers.
Andy Hoefer stated, “Do we really need 11 data centers?” His wife, Carrie, is apprehensive about living in proximity to such facilities, saying, “I’m not against AI; I think it’s great, but…”
Government and Political Involvement
Chandler’s city council is set to vote on this proposal soon. Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a prominent advocate for the project, warns that blocking it might lead to federal overreach where the Trump administration would impose a data center on the city. Sinema has stated that the city must act quickly to determine its technological future.
Sinema’s involvement has heightened local tensions, leading some council members to assert that residents are more aware of the project since her remarks.
Energy Considerations
Energy demands from data centers are skyrocketing. Data centers could consume between 6.7% and 12% of the nation’s electricity by 2028, according to a U.S. Department of Energy report. Arizona’s electricity prices have been rising, with local utilities requesting significant rate hikes linked to surging energy demands from these facilities.
- Proposed Utility Costs: Developer required to pay $242 million for infrastructure enhancements
- Impact on Local Power Rates: Arizona Public Service requested a 16% rate increase
Future Implications
The politics surrounding data centers are complex and evolving. As technology companies race to lead the AI industry, local communities are pressured to adapt quickly. In places like Virginia and Georgia, residents are already reacting negatively to rising utility bills associated with data centers.
As Chandler prepares to make a decision, the implications of the council’s ruling could set a precedent for how communities balance technological growth with local needs. With both residents’ concerns and political pressures at play, the outcome remains uncertain.
