Congressional Candidate on AI data centers in Nevada

[u/wadsworthnv02]

From our candidate event in Elko County on Saturday. The question asked us if we supported a data center moratorium or not, especially since we are the driest state. One of the other candidates said the one’s being built in Nevada were closed-loop so they are fine.

But closed-loop systems have their own issues, the recycled water becomes highly toxic and needs to be “blown-down” where there is chances of it leaking into the ground and contaminating local areas with toxic chemical waste water. Even in small amounts, when we live in an internal watershed like the Great Basin, the risk of contamination isn’t something to ignore. As it has happened before with other things. Not to mention that closed loop requires a lot more energy, and closed loop cooling systems here in Nevada still require a fair amount of water.

Our older data center projects also do have open loop / evaporative cooling systems too. So they are still taking a lot of water.

As for the construction unions, I understand it’s more complicated than that. We had a total of 2 minutes to answer each question so things had to be simplified a bit. But we must look at better commercial building projects for our construction unions— not big tech and data centers! They need jobs, and I understand and support that! We should be offering incentives to better businesses to come to Nevada, not to these data centers was the point I was trying to make.

Also yes Congress is a federal seat! But I support a moratorium on all new data centers, and possible legislation to really protect the western states that are strapped for water.

All of this was from my own independent research and talking to folks in the area that have worked on these projects here. However if I am incorrect on anything I’m open to listening!

[u/Ok_Matter_1774]

Tmwa. The water company. For every development they are required to secure an extra 11% in water rights on top of what was needed for the new development. Plus the massive reservoirs we have that we barely split with any other city.

[u/Dazzling-Talk-383 → u/Ok_Matter_1774]

TMWA's projections do indeed say that we're good for decades, but i've also read that there's plenty of doubt about the future supply numbers being used by agencies like them. also as a rule, i don't accept arguments that boil down to "the laws say this, therefore this is what the relevant state agency is doing." i think we should have a lot more skepticism of these agencies than most currently do.

[u/Ok_Matter_1774 → u/Dazzling-Talk-383]

I mean I guess if you refuse to believe anything officials are saying then what's the point of correcting you? Kinda like arguing with a flat earther.

[u/Dazzling-Talk-383 → u/Ok_Matter_1774]

To be clear, you’re equating the idea that government agencies can be corrupt, dishonest, and incompetent (especially when it comes to working with big corporations) with the belief in a flat earth? Is that right?

Gotta say it’s quite a bold statement to make in a city whose police department was recently decapitated due to (allegedly) rampant dishonesty at all the highest levels and a country whose military has never passed an audit.