Amazon Withdraws from Tucson’s Controversial Project Blue Data Center
In a surprising development, Amazon Web Services has opted out of the Project Blue data center initiative, which was slated for a 290-acre location on Tucson’s eastern outskirts. This project, under scrutiny, had kept Amazon’s involvement concealed due to confidentiality agreements with local officials until recently.
Initially linked to Amazon through public records dating back to 2023, Project Blue faced significant opposition when Beale Infrastructure, the developer, revealed plans to use the city’s water resources for cooling the data center. This strategy was met with rejection by Tucson city leaders, prompting a shift to using electricity from Tucson Electric Power as an alternative cooling method.
The Arizona Daily Star reported that Amazon is stepping away from the project due to the incompatibility of the new cooling method with its operational requirements. Despite this, a representative from Beale Infrastructure has not confirmed the withdrawal but stated that Amazon had no formal agreements in Tucson.
Community opposition to Project Blue has been evident, with numerous residents voicing their concerns at public meetings and displaying signs against the project. The proposed data center had also been linked to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, for surveillance activities, intensifying public debate.
For further details, the Arizona Luminaria first reported on Amazon’s connection to the project. Additionally, discussions about the change in cooling plans were covered by KJZZ, and the push to finalize land deals was noted by KJZZ as well.
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