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Pinal County rejects rezoning for La Osa data center project
The 4-1 vote blocks rezoning for more than 3,000 acres of rural land and stops plans for 11 data center buildings plus gas-fired power and battery storage.
Pinal County’s Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to reject a proposed La Osa Energy Center data center project near Eloy, a decision that blocks rezoning for more than 3,000 acres of rural land, the Phoenix Business Journal reported, citing coverage by the outlet KJZZ.
The project was planned for a site about 12 miles outside of Eloy and would have included 11 data center buildings, a gas-fired power plant, and a battery energy storage system, according to the reported description from KJZZ.
Opponents pressed the county on potential impacts including extreme water and power usage, noise and light pollution, and community displacement. The planning and zoning commission previously approved the rezoning measures in April, but local opposition disrupted the effort, the reporting said.
During a May public hearing, developer Vermaland said it would reduce the project footprint by 80 percent and updated its zoning application with fewer buildings and fewer power plants, but protesters still packed the Aug. 26 meeting. The story also points to broader resistance, noting that more than 200 local governments nationwide have active data center moratoriums and that Arizona enacted a three-year freeze on data center incentives in June.