Data Center Land Use Regulations and Water Basin Protection

Expressed deep concern that developers already have plans in motion and urged the board to ensure strict, airtight protections against unwanted industrial projects.

Thanked the board for adding amendments to keep data centers out of Basin 162 while warning about canvitters gathering signatures.

Advocated for holding meetings on Saturdays to allow working residents to attend and questioned water sharing across county lines.

Thanked commissioners for discussing Ash Meadows and Amargosa conservation areas and asked when the item would return.

Suggested that controversial items be placed first on the agenda so telephone participants do not have to wait all day.

Quoted constitutional principles on water, property rights, and popular sovereignty, demanding verified answers before making irreversible commitments.

Spoke as counsel for NCDC Developer, stating support for the ordinance as drafted and highlighting its strict water caps and noise limits.

Questioned why the agenda document showed legal review as unmarked and stressed the importance of formal legal sign-off.

Urged thorough drafting, review by the district attorney, and adequate time for public review of complex bills.

Asked for a clear definition of 'developed site acre' in relation to the water consumption standards.

Urged the board to preserve the Basin 162 ban, require strict environmental and sound testing, and mandate bonds for eventual removal and cleanup.

Warned of potential water conflicts with Clark County and suggested having a backup plan for residents.

Suggested making the ordinance as simple as possible by directly stating 'in the town of Pahrump' rather than referencing basin numbers.

Expressed support for exploring data center opportunities along high-voltage transmission lines to bring tax revenue and paved roads to the community.

Stated that outlying towns like Beatty and Gabbs should have the right to evaluate smaller data centers that could support mining and bring jobs without affecting water.

Criticized the board for rushing the ordinance and urged a proper rewrite or a public vote rather than minor changes.

Argued that data centers provide only short-term benefits and threaten the rural lifestyle residents moved to Nye County to enjoy.

Supported the ordinance for its science-driven engineering standards but argued that applying exemptions exclusively to Pahrump sets contradictory standards.

Requested closed-loop system requirements to prevent contamination and emphasized that small towns need county support and local asset control.

Supported strong ordinances preventing developers from exploiting rural areas while highlighting flood risks and aquifer contamination concerns.

Praised the DA's basin recommendation for providing legal standing, supported successor company oversight, and noted upcoming community events.

Asked whether state hydrologist reports were evaluated regarding water usage for large proposed projects.

Expressed appreciation for the county's previous ban and warned that developers will keep returning.

Questioned why developers insist on building in Pahrump rather than remote areas like Tonopah.

Expressed concern over inadequate public hearing notification radiuses, view shed protections, and low-frequency noise monitoring.

Warned that developers target Nye County because Nevada's environmental protections lag behind states like California.

Voiced skepticism that the proposed amendment truly protects Basin 162 and expressed frustration with repeated developer attempts.

Spoke as Beatty Administrative Coordinator, thanking the board and requesting the item be tabled to allow the Beatty Town Advisory Board to review potential impacts.

Expressed disappointment over a perceived lack of control and urged bonding requirements to protect future water and property values.

Shared decades of experience in data centers, noting that closed-loop and evaporative cooling technologies pose severe challenges in arid environments.

Suggested adding a building height limit of 40 feet to ensure fire department safety and roof firefighting capability.

Questioned the value of increased tax revenue if residents are forced out of the community due to water depletion.

Argued that data centers should not receive tax abatements and should pay the same taxes as small businesses.

Raised concerns regarding due process violations, open meeting law compliance, and legal standing.

Expressed concern about data centers being placed on water feeds outside the immediate basin that supply local groundwater.

Spoke on behalf of Western Steel Council, supporting the bill as drafted to establish strong regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.

Asked the commission to protect the existing prohibition in Pahrump and ensure Bill 2026-14 does not create loopholes.

Voiced strong opposition to suspending Robert's Rules of Order, arguing that wholesale suspension undermines statutory governance.

Expressed shock and opposition to data centers, emphasizing that residents chose the valley for its rural lifestyle and open spaces.