Data center developer Beale Infrastructure received two affirmative votes last week that will help advance the company’s planned projects in Pima County.
Board Approves Community Benefit Agreement
The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Beale regarding several community benefit investment pledges the company has made in association with its Project Blue data center (aka the Houghton Data Center Project) planned near the Pima County Fairgrounds.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement, Beale will make $15M in community investments and pledges to match all the energy use from the data centers with renewable energy. Beale made the energy pledge last month.
The agreement specifies the data centers will be air-cooled, water for general operations (fire suppression, office and facilities needs, etc.) will be secured from an Arizona Department of Water Resources-approved provider, and the company will match its energy consumption with renewable energy using “commercially available means.”
The company plans to buy renewable energy credits to satisfy this commitment. It will also ensure its operations meet Pima’s Preliminary Integrated Water Plan requirements.
Beale will donate $5M to be used for science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholarships and program funding in the county. Another $10M donation will be made during the latter phases of the project for community benefit initiatives to be identified with the County according to local priorities.
AZBEX was the first outlet to report on the specific use plan that would eventually become Project Blue and has followed subsequent developments closely. Our coverage is available here.
The Board approved the land sale to Beale in June. Project officials are trying to close the sale by Dec. 25.
Marana Rezoning Recommendation
Beale’s second win was a recommended approval for rezoning land in Marana for another data center project.
The Marana Planning Commission made the recommendation to rezone two properties of roughly 300 acres each on North Luckett Road. A 300-acre plot is owned by the Kai Family Trust, while a 310-acre site is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Both recommendations are subject to approval by the Marana Town Council.
The planned Beale Infrastructure Data Center Campus is in alignment with an ordinance enacted last year that requires developers to disclose how much power and water their data centers will use and to procure their own water supply, rather than relying on Town resources.
The ordinance also restricts data center noise levels. A noise study will be required before the project is approved by Town Council.
Like Project Blue, the Marana facility will be air-cooled to minimize its water usage. Marana Water will provide water for office operations. The Cortaro Marana Irrigation District will provide water for fire suppression, irrigation and industrial uses.
Beale representatives noted in their presentation to the Commission that the data center campus will consume 95% less water than the parcels’ current agricultural uses. (Source)
