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No Desert Data Center Coalition

@nodesertdatacenter.com

110 followers 23 following 40 posts

We won our campaign to stop the development of a heat-generating, water-guzzling, energy-draining Amazon data center in the Sonoran Desert! We're a leaderful coalition of people based in Southern Arizona who would like to be able to continue living here.

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 11

We won but we're not done!! Here's our latest update. If you'd like to receive these in your inbox and/or join us as we continue our work, fill out this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Screenshot from email, part 1: Hello Everyone,

We hope you've gotten some rest after this wild summer we've had in the fight against Project Blue. Many of you have asked -- what's next?

Well, last week you heard Mayor Romero call for guardrails for large water users and data centers. This effort is currently in process, both at the city and county level.

This is great, but we want to be absolutely sure that experts are consulted, Tribal leaders from the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations are consulted, and that the public has a chance to weigh in, too. Because that will take some time, we are calling for a moratorium in the consideration of data centers until these processes are complete. We're also calling for a totally transparent public process.

Screenshot from email, part 2: What You Can Do

- Write or call the Mayor & Council AND the Pima County Board of Supervisors
- Ask for a moratorium in the consideration of data centers until there is ample time to consult regional experts, Tribal leaders, and the public. Tell them that we expect transparency throughout this process.
- Reference the ward map and find your council members here.

- Find Pima County Board of Supervisors here (click the Supervisor and find their contact phone and email on the upper righthand corner).

- Attend the upcoming meetings where these guardrails will be discussed:
- August 18th at 9am : Pima County Board of Supervisors Meeting
- Pima County Administration Building
130 W. Congress St.
1st Floor, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room

- August 19th at 5:30pm : City Council Meeting
- Mayor & Council Chambers
City Hall, 1st floor
255 W. Alameda

New to No Desert Data Center Coalition?

- Send the Get Involved Form to 10 people you know. And encourage others to share it as well. This is the best way for us to all remain up-to-date, connected, and actively participate in next steps in protecting our water, land, and community.

- Join the Organizing Effort. If you'd like to get involved in organizing, please click to join our signal chat here: No Data Centers in the Desert!

Screenshot from email, part 3: We Are Standing in Solidarity With...

- Eloy, as the massive data center Vermaland was recently proposed there.

- Benson, as a huge aluminum plant is proposed there, right next to the San Pedro River. Join the resistance here. You can also attend the public hearing on 8/21 at 6pm at the Benson School District Cafeteria (360 S Patagonia St, Benson, AZ).

- Save the Scenic Santa Ritas in their resistance to the Copper World mine.

- Marana, as a company that runs for-profit prisons and detention centers recently bought a closed state prison.

- Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA) as they continue their fight to protect the Patagonia Mountains and the Sonoita Creek Watershed from mining.

There is a lot happening right now; with all that is happening at the federal level, we expect things to get harder. We encourage you to support resistance efforts where you can and rest when you need to. These are all interconnected struggles and require all of us to contribute in the ways we are able. We can make history when we come together.

Remember, collectively, we stopped a massive data center in seven weeks. And there is more to do to further protect our water, land, and community. Your participation will make a difference. Thank you for joining in the effort! Any questions? Feel free to write us back.

In Solidarity,
No Desert Data Centers

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The Maybe @themaybe.org · 14d

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We’re talking with Marisol from the @nodesertdatacenter.com about their grassroots victory and how they’re now organizing for future protections.

Join us today from 5-6pm ET to hear from Marisol and other organizers leading the fight. Register here:

luma.com/l7m3nzzn

Let Them Eat Compute: Computer Says Maybe Climate Week Livestream · Luma

Hearing a lot about AI and data center expansion? That it's happening quickly, behind closed doors, putting huge demands on strained energy grids, leading to…

luma.com

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Reposted by No Desert Data Center Coalition

Tom Phillips @tomphillips.bsky.social · 17d

“Huge crowds packed the squares and beaches of some of Brazil’s biggest cities to voice their opposition to rightwing endeavors to help Bolsonaro escape jail for his failed power grab”

Brazilians protest in their thousands against granting Bolsonaro amnesty

Huge crowds pack the streets to oppose endeavours to help ex-president escape jail

www.theguardian.com

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Athena Coalition @athenaforall.bsky.social · 17d

We rallied in NYC to expose how AI data centers are wrecking the climate just to make billionaires richer. Thanks to @stand.earth @mediajustice.bsky.social @notechforapartheid.bsky.social @biologicaldiversity.org and @nodesertdatacenter.com for the solidarity and art building skills.

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Lamplighters @azlamplighters.com · 20d

TUCSON! Join us this Saturday, September 20 for #MakeBillionairesPay, in solidarity with @womensmarch.com!

Featuring speakers from @nodesertdatacenter.com Coalición de Derechos Humanos, Tucson DSA, and Working Families Power!

To RSVP, visit bit.ly/MBPTucson

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The Maybe @themaybe.org · 22d

2/3

@alixdunn.com will talk with @keshaunpearson.bsky.social from Memphis Community Against Pollution, Marisol from @nodesertdatacenter.com, KD Minor from Alliance for Affordable Energy, and @ambakak.bsky.social about how they’re reclaiming control of their futures from big tech companies.

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · 22d

👋

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jael holzman @jael.bsky.social · 22d

looking to talk to folks who are fighting data centers in different parts of the country for a story or two. gimme a holler at [email protected]

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Cayden Mak @catachresis.bsky.social · 28d

This week's #BlockAndBuild with @mediajustice.bsky.social's @myaishahayes.bsky.social, @nodesertdatacenter.com's Vivek Bharathan, and Memphis Community Against Pollution's @keshaunpearson.bsky.social was a complete banger. convergencemag.com/podcast/orga...

Organizers vs. Big Data w/ Myaisha Hayes, Vivek Bharathan, Keshaun Pearson

Building community power against big tech, feat. Myaisha Hayes (MediaJustice), Vivek Bharathan (No Desert Data Center Coalition), Keshaun Pearson (Memphis Community Against Pollution).

convergencemag.com

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MediaJustice @mediajustice.bsky.social · Aug 21

Watch @moreperfectunion.bsky.social's overview on how @nodesertdatacenter.com and community organizers resisted Amazon's shady plan to build a major data center in Tucson.

Defeating the proposal, their story shows how our communities are stronger than corporations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn5t...

Amazon’s Secret Plot to Build a Data Center in the Desert

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

www.youtube.com

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 23

They sure are! That's why communities like ours are fighting back (and winning)!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn5t...

Amazon’s Secret Plot to Build a Data Center in the Desert

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

www.youtube.com

Reposted by No Desert Data Center Coalition

Arizona Luminaria @azluminaria.org · Aug 20

An ordinance passed tonight adds oversight and transparency for companies seeking millions of gallons from the Tucson water system

After Project Blue outcry, Tucson adopts rules for large water users - AZ Luminaria

Until Tuesday, a company with zoning approval in Tucson could have relatively unlimited access to Tucson’s water system, even if it was going to use millions of gallons of water. Now, with the unanimo...

azluminaria.org

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 19

Data center developers: We need to build this necessary infrastructure close to your house and drain your water and push up your power bills so the university and businesses can get data faster. Proximity is critical!

Also data center developers: SPACE COMPUTERS!!!

Reposted by No Desert Data Center Coalition

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 12

Last week in the lead-up to the city council vote, @moreperfectunion.bsky.social came to Tucson to tell this story. Here it is, from the days prior to our city council voting to end plans to build the data center: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn5t...

How Tucson Fought an Amazon Data Center and Won

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

www.youtube.com

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 19

Given our recent experience fighting back against a hyperscale data center in our community (and winning!), it's highly doubtful anyone does any kind of environmental assessment before deciding to build one of these monsters. youtu.be/Mn5ttoXxAe8

Amazon’s Secret Plot to Build a Data Center in the Desert

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

youtu.be

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 18

Underwater data centers?? Noooooope nope nope nope! www.bbc.com/news/science...

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 14

More good news! Tract, the developer behind this project, withdrew their application in a big victory for the community members who opposed it! Like us, they continue their work to protect their environment and resources. Here's their website: nodatacentermooresvillenc.com

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 14

Yes! This is one reason why we fought the construction of a giant data center here in Tucson, AZ and WON! That, the fact that it takes water to cool these heat-generating monsters (in the desert!?), and the secretive process behind NDAs. azluminaria.org/2025/08/06/t...

Tucson City Council rejects Project Blue data center amid intense community pressure - AZ Luminaria

The Tucson City Council voted to reject the proposed Project Blue data center— tied to Amazon — after weeks of community pushback.

azluminaria.org

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 14

Tucson learned from you all in Phoenix that data centers are causing higher electricity bills for households that APS serves, which is one reason we fought back against the Project Blue data centers and WON! Also this article doesn't mention it takes water to cool these monsters. In the desert.

Data centers, not homeowners, fueling Arizona’s steep energy demand

Many experts worry residential customers are vulnerable to shouldering costs incurred by data centers.

www.12news.com

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 13

This! Also they generate huge amounts of heat, and use water to cool them. This combination of water use, energy use, and heat are just some of the reasons we came together as a community to say no to a giant data center outside of Tucson, AZ. And we won!

Amazon’s Secret Plot to Build a Data Center in the Desert

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

www.youtube.com

No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 13

We learned from our neighbors in Phoenix that data centers cause 94% of rising energy demand, and consumers end up subsidizing that. When people can't afford to run their ACs and coolers here, they die. That's why we knew we had to fight the construction of a huge data center here in Tucson, AZ.

Data centers, not homeowners, fueling Arizona’s steep energy demand

Many experts worry residential customers are vulnerable to shouldering costs incurred by data centers.

www.12news.com

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 13

As the federal government further dismantles environmental (and all) regulations, and in states whose legislatures have never been particularly interested in those anyway, it falls on local community members to spend hundreds of hours of unpaid labor getting organized and fighting back. We did that.

Amazon’s Secret Plot to Build a Data Center in the Desert

YouTube video by More Perfect Union

www.youtube.com

Reposted by No Desert Data Center Coalition

InRangeTV @inrange.tv · Aug 13

I'm a guest on It Could Happen Here with my friend @jamesstout.bsky.social , this time talking about something else we should all care about: the very biosphere we exist in:

omny.fm/shows/it-cou...

How Tucson Beat Amazon’s Data Center - It Could Happen Here

James is joined by Karl Kasarda of InRangeTV to discuss the Project Blue data center and the coalition of people who campaigned against its construction in Tucson. Sources: http://nodesertdatacenter...

omny.fm

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No Desert Data Center Coalition @nodesertdatacenter.com · Aug 11

We won but we're not done!! Here's our latest update. If you'd like to receive these in your inbox and/or join us as we continue our work, fill out this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Reposted by No Desert Data Center Coalition

Aparna Nair @disabilitystor1.bsky.social · Aug 12

The UK government to AI companies: invest in the UK, we will deregulate and build data centers! Let us grovel at your feet, please, tech gods favor us

The UK government to the people: delete your emails and photos, you peasants

Mainlined into UK’s veins’: Labour announces huge public rollout of AI
This article is more than 6 months old
Plans to make UK world leader in AI sector include opening access to NHS and other public data
Why Labour is pinning its hopes on AI to drive UK growth

Labour develops AI to predict parliamentary rebellions
Computer model will analyse MPs’ past voting to determine likely trouble-makers after recent revolts

The UK Government's AI Growth Zones plan aims to anchor data centre expansion and AI research across the country, driving decentralised tech investment
Britain is ramping up its commitment to AI, but this time with a sharpened focus on the infrastructure that supports it, particularly data centres.
Through its AI Growth Zones initiative, the UK Government is making data centres central to its strategy for cementing the country’s status as a global AI leader.
By targeting key regions outside the capital, the plan aims to create regional engines for both AI development and economic renewal.

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michael veale @michae.lv · Aug 12

In a new digital twist to environmental individualisation of responsibility, the UK government is now advising people to “[d]elete old emails and pictures” in data centres to help with the current drought. www.gov.uk/government/n...

HOW TO SAVE WATER AT HOME
Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden.

Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day.

Use water from the kitchen to water your plants.

Avoid watering your lawn – brown grass will grow back healthy.

Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving.

Take shorter showers.

Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

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