PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 They are a lightning rod across America: AI data centers, massive buildings filled with supercomputers used to power the artificial intelligence boom.<\/p>\n
Now the controversial projects have come to Florida, where they are receiving anything but a warm welcome. Supporters say they are critical infrastructure for the future of technology. Opponents question whether they are environmental nightmares or simply misunderstood.<\/p>\n
As data centers rise, so does the backlash.<\/p>\n
At the center of the debate is Project Tango, a proposed hyperscale data center in western Palm Beach County. If built, it would be the first hyperscale data center in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one is proposed to be 600 megawatts of power across five buildings, about a million square feet, with the latest technology not only on the computing side, but on the cooling side,\u201d said Ernie Cox, project manager for PBA Holdings.<\/p>\n
Developers say the site was chosen because it sits just a few hundred feet from a major power plant.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have one of the most connected pieces of electrical infrastructure in Florida with the largest power plant in the state of Florida immediately next to a site that\u2019s been zoned and used for industrial uses for decades,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s that location that is generating fierce opposition.<\/p>\n
Project Tango borders the Arden residential community and an elementary school, both just outside Wellington.<\/p>\n
Project Tango\u2019s original master plan was approved 10 years ago. Developers are now seeking permission to expand that plan by 1.5 million square feet, mostly for warehouses but, they say, space that could also be used for additional data centers.<\/p>\n
Dozens of data centers already exist in Miami-Dade County, including Iron Mountain, which is set to open later this year. None, however, are hyperscale data centers requiring 50 megawatts or more, like Project Tango.<\/p>\n
The potential environmental impact is driving most of the opposition, with concerns centered on water use, heat and constant noise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe water, the air, the noise, I mean the pollution. All of that is a big concern of ours,\u201d Arden resident Larry Frazier said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t heard anything good about a data center anywhere. Anywhere. Virginia. Nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone said the proposed site is less than five miles from the village.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the winter equestrian capital of the world and we have a lot of very expensive, well-maintained horses there,\u201d Napoleone said. \u201cHorses are very sensitive to noise and vibrations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat shouldn\u2019t be put in jeopardy for a hyperscale data center that could probably be sited somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n
The heat generated by an AI data center can raise surrounding temperatures by as much as 16 degrees, creating what\u2019s known as the heat island effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother thing that we see from data centers is an incredible amount of water to operate and cool their systems,\u201d said Christina Reichert, a senior attorney with Earthjustice.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow even if they are able to reduce the amount of water they consume from the aquifer, there\u2019s still a potential for water pollution.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also noted the site is directly next to a canal connecting the northern and southern Everglades and is near one of the nation\u2019s wildlife refuges.<\/p>\n
Project Tango says its closed-loop cooling system will use minimal water each day and that used water will be transported to an off-site facility for disposal.<\/p>\n
Developers also say they are taking unprecedented steps to house all operations inside concrete buildings buffered by a berm and trees designed to ensure noise and heat have no impact on Arden or the nearby school.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur focus has been on, how do we eliminate impacts off of our property?\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
Because of their intensive power requirements, data centers have often been associated with higher electric bills for surrounding communities.<\/p>\n
Florida and Florida Power & Light say they have taken steps to prevent that from happening. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 484 in May to protect ratepayers by prohibiting utilities from passing data center costs on to residential customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make sure that the data center companies fund 100% of the cost of the new power generation,\u201d FPL spokesman Andrew Sutton said.<\/p>\n
A recent ruling by the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommended denying Project Tango\u2019s expansion plans and questioned whether the proposal complies with zoning laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really heavy industrial in a light industrial zone area,\u201d Napoleone said.<\/p>\n
Developers disagree.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be a light industrial use because it won\u2019t have an impact off-site,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe data center facilities that we\u2019re going to be building are going to reduce the industrial nature of the site. So it\u2019s going to look like and feel like and sound like a modern office park.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final decision rests with the Palm Beach County Commission, and the debate is expected to remain contentious.<\/p>\n
During a zoning meeting, one speaker accused Cox of being dishonest, saying, \u201cDon\u2019t listen to Ernie. He\u2019s already been caught in a bunch of lies. Who knows what else he\u2019s lying about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cox responded by saying, \u201cThis is the most uncivil I have ever dealt with in my entire career.\u201d<\/p>\n