LETTER: Don't ban data centers

Banning data centers would erase the growth of the industries that are powering the future, in a state that has always won by getting there first. The interior of a Switch data center in Las Vegas is seen on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file) Alan Halaly's August 29 story on lawmakers' intentions to halt data center construction in the state and end their tax breaks captures a real debate — but the committee landed on the wrong answer. Ending property tax abatements for data centers is completely defensible, as the state is left staring at revenue that would otherwise have been invested in infrastructure. However, banning data center construction statewide is the opposite conversation. Instead of setting the framework, this move would erase the growth of the industries that are powering the future, in a state that has always won by getting there first. Senator Dina Neal stated that when the state gets involved, it 'sets the standard' for local governments. State involvement does not set a standard; it just stops the clock. The pressure Nevada applies has already pushed data center developers to more efficient closed-loop designs. The demands of the industry have brought to light the long-delayed conversation of energy independence in the Silver State, underscoring the need for diversifying energy generation both for residential and commercial use. Halaly is right: data centers will remain a hot topic as the state approaches its legislative session. Policymakers should legislate them with a cool head to ensure that Nevada does not watch decades of innovation built across state lines.