Sierra Club appeals against data center in Reno, Nevada

The Sierra Club, an environmental preservation organization with chapters in all 50 states has filed an appeal against the approval of the Webb Data Center by the Reno Planning Commission on December 18. The commission voted 4-2 for recommending proposals from Ellis Partners for an 82,000-square-foot (7,620 sqm) data center on a six-acre site along North Virginia Street east of its intersection with Stead Boulevard.

“We are demanding that Reno public officials adhere to the highest standard of ethical behavior and public transparency. The approval of the Webb data center was mired in controversy, violations of open meeting law, and strategic withholding of information," Olivia Tanager, director of Sierra Club’s Toiyabe Chapter said in a statement.

"We are asking for the city to cease approval of all data centers and associated permits until there is clear guidance in Reno code regulating data centers. These facilities are extraordinarily demanding on our energy and water resources, and Reno residents will be adversely impacted if these centers aren’t rolled out with the highest level of caution and scrutiny.”

Reno City Council will hold a hearing on the appeal on January 22.