Residents urge Pima County supervisors to halt ‘Project Blue’; board holds executive session, takes no immediate action

At a Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting, dozens of residents urged the board to stop Project Blue, a proposed hyperscale data center that opponents say would consume large amounts of water and electricity and harm local climate resilience.

The meeting included an executive session called by the county attorney to provide legal advice about Project Blue; Chair Scott told the public no board action on the project would occur that day. The board returned from executive session and indicated staff had received direction to proceed as discussed in closed session but did not announce any substantive decision on the land sale or contract terms.

Why it matters: Project Blue — and more broadly the prospect of large data centers — has prompted repeated public objections in Pima County because speakers said the facilities would place “unsustainable” demands on scarce desert water and boost electric demand at a time of grid stress and rising rates. Many speakers also raised procedural complaints about nondisclosure agreements, transparency and whether representations from the developer would be honored.

Public comments and concerns

Speakers during the call to the…