Residents urge pause on ‘Project Tango’ data center over water, energy and land-use concerns; county schedules town hall

Scores of residents and advocacy groups spoke during the public-comment period to oppose Project Tango, a proposed large AI data center in Loxahatchee, raising repeated concerns about water and energy consumption, agricultural land loss, environmental impacts, and the distribution of costs and benefits.

Speakers from community groups and individual residents said mega data centers require massive, continuous electricity and substantial water for cooling. They warned those costs are often shifted to local ratepayers through infrastructure upgrades and discounted tax arrangements for developers. Cindy Falco DiCorado urged the commission to “pause this project” and demand full transparency on expected water and energy usage; Drew Martin of the Loxahatchee Sierra Club said the site is incompatible with the area’s rural and agricultural character.

The mayor responded that a town hall will be held Jan. 28 at 151 Civic Center Way in Royal Palm Beach to present experts and hear concerns from residents closest to the project, and clarified that the site already has approval for a data center but the additional approvals being requested require further public input. Several speakers requested that the county reject Project Tango outright.

Commissioners and staff did not make a final decision at the meeting; the town hall and follow-up technical briefings were presented as the next public steps.

Representative quote: “Approving a project of this scale puts residents at risk,” said a resident during public comment.

Next steps: town hall on Jan. 28; staff to coordinate expert presentations and public testimony about water, energy and land‑use impacts.