Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers Energy Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional planning agency accepts staff research on data centers and recommends broader energy role
Summary
The agency accepted a staff report on data centers and directed staff to present a broader review of the agency’s role in regional energy generation, transmission and utility corridor mapping to the governing board and include it in the strategic work plan.
The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency accepted a staff research report on data centers and recommended the agency perform a broader review of how it engages with regional energy generation, transmission and utility corridor mapping.
Jeremy Smith, director of the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency, presented findings from a staff research effort requested by the commission in January. Smith said data centers vary widely in size and function, from small “edge” facilities to hyperscale campuses, and that they can be highly energy‑intensive. Staff highlighted three core components for consideration: power consumption, water use and land use.
On power, staff cited department of energy and industry projections showing rapid growth in data center electricity demand. Smith said NV Energy is updating its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and is planning for increased demand; staff noted that while large power users often pay for transmission and substation upgrades upfront, the utility and state Public Utilities Commission govern generation and service obligations, and the regional plan does not directly regulate power generation or NV Energy’s planning decisions.
On water, staff said cooling can be water‑intensive if evaporative systems are used; staff and public commenters raised concerns about evaporative cooling and recommended reuse or closed‑loop cooling. The agency noted its Project of Regional Significance (PRS) rules trigger review when a project requires 625 acre‑feet or more of water; staff said a high single‑business water demand would prompt further review.
On land use, staff found data centers generally produce few vehicle trips and limited on‑site employment relative to building footprint, making them more compatible with industrial and commercial areas than with residential neighborhoods. Staff also reported they are expanding their land‑use tracking to better identify existing and proposed data centers in regional datasets.
Public comment included concerns about water use, tax abatements for data centers, whether data centers pay proportionate shares of infrastructure costs and calls to limit evaporative cooling. Speakers included Jordan Deshale (Reno Sunrise Movement), Robin Palmer (climate advocate), Kathy Fulkerson (Third Act Nevada) and Henry Dalton (UNR student and resident), each urging stronger safeguards for water, energy sourcing and community benefit.
After discussion the commission voted to accept the staff report and asked staff to present a broader strategic work plan item to the regional planning governing board that would address TMRPA’s role with energy generation, transmission, substations and utility corridors. A motion to accept the report and forward the recommendation to the governing board passed on a voice vote; the motion included language to include the work in the agency’s strategic work plan and to continue tracking data‑center requests, approvals and modeling inputs.
Staff said next steps include improved tracking of known data centers, continued coordination with NV Energy and the Public Utilities Commission processes (including the IRP), and bringing a proposal to the governing board to scope the agency’s energy‑sector work.
