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Residents press commissioners to block Project Tango data center over water, noise and safety concerns
Summary
Residents at the Palm Beach County meeting urged commissioners to halt Project Tango, a proposed large‑scale data center, citing secrecy around technical details, concerns about 5,000 gallons/day water claims, closed‑loop cooling in extreme heat, possible backup power and lithium‑battery fire risks, and proximity to schools and wildlife areas.
Residents urged Palm Beach County commissioners to delay or block "Project Tango," a proposed hyperscale data center, until developers provide more complete technical information and independent assessments of environmental and public‑safety risks.
"This project is shrouded in secrecy, deception," said Rachel Smith, a local resident, who said she reviewed developer materials and found unanswered questions about water use, backup power, and electrical load. Speakers repeatedly questioned an asserted figure of 5,000 gallons per day for cooling and asked whether the facility would rely on dry cooling and a closed‑loop system that they said may not be viable in South Florida—xtreme heat and humidity.
Speakers also raised noise concerns (particularly low‑frequency sound), proximity to an elementary school and a nearby wildlife refuge, and asked the county to require independent acoustic and environmental engineering reviews as conditions of any approval. Several speakers suggested specific mitigation measures, including dark‑sky exterior lighting, independent noise monitoring, and clear protocols for disposal of chemically contaminated cooling water.
A developer representative that residents referenced (Andy Cox) was cited as saying there would be no backup generator; commenters asked whether the project would instead rely on backup batteries and warned of lithium‑fire risks. Speakers requested that the county publish the facility—lectrical load data to evaluate possible impacts on local power supply and asked for greater community engagement before any formal approvals.
What happened next: Public commenters asked commissioners to vote against Project Tango at a scheduled April board meeting unless answers and independent reviews were provided. Mayor Sara Baxter acknowledged speakers and said staff would consider how to address resident concerns, but no formal action on Project Tango occurred during public comment.
Provenance: This article covers comments about Project Tango beginning at SEG 772 and continuing through SEG 879, including direct questions about water use, cooling, backup power and environmental mitigation.
Ending: Speakers asked the board to postpone action until independent reviews and more complete technical disclosures are available; commissioners did not take immediate action on the project during this session.
