Two new massive data center projects are being proposed in the Tucson area—one at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and another on 600 acres of farmland in northern Marana. Together, they threaten to consume huge amounts of energy, alter the region’s landscape, and risk long-term harm to our fragile desert environment.

These proposals come even as the controversial Project Blue remains active, despite public opposition and serious unanswered questions about water, energy, and transparency. The same developers behind Project Blue are now moving forward with new plans while avoiding public scrutiny and refusing to name who will operate the facilities. Documents suggest it could once again be Amazon.

Data centers are not clean development. Even when air-cooled, they require enormous amounts of electricity—up to 750 megawatts in this case—which ultimately shifts the water burden upstream to power plants. These facilities also bring noise, heat, and environmental disruption to the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, secrecy surrounds these projects. One developer has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Marana officials, blocking public access to basic information about who is involved and how much water or power will be used. Residents are being asked to trust corporations who refuse to be transparent.

This region is already facing water stress and increasing temperatures. We cannot afford to sacrifice hundreds of acres of land or put further pressure on our energy systems just to support private data infrastructure.

We are calling on the Town of Marana, the U.S. Air Force, and Pima County officials to reject these proposals unless they can guarantee full public disclosure, strict environmental oversight, and clear limits on water and energy use.

Sign this petition to say no to more hidden data center deals and yes to protecting the desert, the water, and the communities of Southern Arizona.

Photo: AZ Daily Star