The recent 4-2 disputed approval of the Ellis Partners Webb Data Center in the North Valleys by the Reno Planning Commission is facing more heat, with the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club now filing an appeal against those proceedings.
“We are demanding that Reno public officials adhere to the highest standard of ethical behavior and public transparency,” Olivia Tanager, Director of Sierra Club’s Toiyabe Chapter said in a statement. “The approval of the Webb data center was mired in controversy, violations of open meeting law, and strategic withholding of information. 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.”
Massive data centers such as the one being planned in the North Valleys are criticized by environmental groups for being intensive energy consumers. The 82,000-square-foot data center is being planned on a six acre site about 1,100 feet east of Stead Boulevard.
The center had previously been presented as a warehouse.
The testy December meeting in which the approval was given previously raised eyebrows with former City Manager Doug Thornley repeatedly conferring with City Attorney Karl Hall in side conversations. Thornley’s presence representing Ellis Partners as an attorney with Holland & Hart also raised concern since there is usually a one year cooling off period for former officials to go before city bodies in certain capacities. Thornley left his position as Reno City Manager at the end of June.
Our Town Reno reporting, January 2025