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Commission Directs Staff to Track Data-Center Requests and Research Regional Impacts
Summary
The commission unanimously directed staff to include data‑center requests in the agency's land‑use tracking and to research regional benefits, impacts and potential triggers for regional review or policy action.
The Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Commission on Jan. 23, 2025 voted unanimously to direct staff to include data‑center requests and approvals in TMRPA’s land‑use tracking and to perform further research on regional benefits and impacts and whether the land‑use could trigger regional review or policy action.
Jeremy Smith, director of TMRPA, opened the discussion with an overview of data centers and planning issues, citing a white paper from the Urban Land Institute and describing types of data centers (corporate, retail/wholesale, telecom and hyperscale). "Data centers are the buildings and the campuses and the server farms ... these big groups of computers that are making all of this stuff possible," Smith said. He summarized planning considerations: limited long‑term traffic once operational, variable land consumption and height, security and significant power (and sometimes water) needs. Smith noted clustering of centers reduces latency and that the region is seeing increased interest, referencing SWITCH and the Apple data center in East Truckee Canyon.
Smith said potential regional roles include tracking the use in TMRPA data; considering regional plan policy guidance; and using the Projects of Regional Significance resolution where impacts on transmission or generation meet statutory thresholds. He also noted state law limits — for example, state agencies and public utilities regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada are defined as affected entities and may limit regional authority in some areas.
Commissioners expressed support for proactive work. Commissioner Rob Pierce asked staff to consider light pollution, water and power impacts and to avoid siting new centers next to residential dark‑sky areas. Commissioner Michael Flick described the effort as an opportunity to "get ahead of the game" and to identify preferred locations before land purchases occur. Commissioner Manny Becerra and others supported further research and ongoing tracking. Commissioner Rob Pierce moved the staff directive; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
