BLM to reconsider Boulder City data center application on federal land

The Interior Board of Land Appeals has allowed the Bureau of Land Management to conduct a new review of the proposed Townsite Solar 2 data center on federal land in Boulder City, after judges concluded the original approval likely breached the National Environmental Policy Act. Earlier this month the BLM asked the board to set aside its earlier approval, using a novel approach that transferred a mandated environmental review for a solar project to the data‑center application.

Administrative Judges David Gunter and Clifford Stevens signed the Thursday order, affirming that the projects were not “substantially the same” and that the transfer likely violated NEPA. The judges wrote, “If Boulder City believes BLM will develop new, unlawful regulatory standards in its review of Townsite’s application, it may seek review on that basis if and when BLM approves that application,” and added, “There is no need for the Board to supervise BLM in its conduct of an ongoing administrative proceeding … when such opportunities for review will be available once a decision has been made.”

The controversy prompted Nevada Rep. Dina Titus to introduce legislation requiring full environmental reviews before a data center can be sited on public land. The BLM declined to comment, citing its policy on pending litigation, and a Boulder City spokeswoman did not provide a statement before publication.

Local opposition reflects a broader voter backlash against large, hyperscale data centers, with a recent poll showing more than half of Nevada voters across party lines opposed such developments. Residents have raised concerns about water use, power sources, siting, noise and air pollution. To meet the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s ban on evaporative cooling, Townsite Solar 2 plans to use air‑cooling or a closed‑loop system that requires a single fill, and developers say they do not intend to draw power from Boulder City’s municipal utility. Townsite representatives said they welcome the opportunity for additional review to address concerns raised in the appeal.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal