PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — They are a lightning rod across America: AI data centers, massive buildings filled with supercomputers used to power the artificial intelligence boom.
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.
As data centers rise, so does the backlash.
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.
“This 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,” said Ernie Cox, project manager for PBA Holdings.
Developers say the site was chosen because it sits just a few hundred feet from a major power plant.
“You 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’s been zoned and used for industrial uses for decades,” Cox said.
But it’s that location that is generating fierce opposition.
Project Tango borders the Arden residential community and an elementary school, both just outside Wellington.
Project Tango’s 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.
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.
The potential environmental impact is driving most of the opposition, with concerns centered on water use, heat and constant noise.
“The water, the air, the noise, I mean the pollution. All of that is a big concern of ours,” Arden resident Larry Frazier said.
“I haven’t heard anything good about a data center anywhere. Anywhere. Virginia. Nothing.”
Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone said the proposed site is less than five miles from the village.
“We’re the winter equestrian capital of the world and we have a lot of very expensive, well-maintained horses there,” Napoleone said. “Horses are very sensitive to noise and vibrations.”
“That shouldn’t be put in jeopardy for a hyperscale data center that could probably be sited somewhere else.”
The heat generated by an AI data center can raise surrounding temperatures by as much as 16 degrees, creating what’s known as the heat island effect.
“Another thing that we see from data centers is an incredible amount of water to operate and cool their systems,” said Christina Reichert, a senior attorney with Earthjustice.
“Now even if they are able to reduce the amount of water they consume from the aquifer, there’s still a potential for water pollution.”
She also noted the site is directly next to a canal connecting the northern and southern Everglades and is near one of the nation’s wildlife refuges.
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.
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.
“Our focus has been on, how do we eliminate impacts off of our property?” Cox said.
Because of their intensive power requirements, data centers have often been associated with higher electric bills for surrounding communities.
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.
“We make sure that the data center companies fund 100% of the cost of the new power generation,” FPL spokesman Andrew Sutton said.
A recent ruling by the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission recommended denying Project Tango’s expansion plans and questioned whether the proposal complies with zoning laws.
“It’s really heavy industrial in a light industrial zone area,” Napoleone said.
Developers disagree.
“This will be a light industrial use because it won’t have an impact off-site,” Cox said.
“The data center facilities that we’re going to be building are going to reduce the industrial nature of the site. So it’s going to look like and feel like and sound like a modern office park.”
The final decision rests with the Palm Beach County Commission, and the debate is expected to remain contentious.
During a zoning meeting, one speaker accused Cox of being dishonest, saying, “Don’t listen to Ernie. He’s already been caught in a bunch of lies. Who knows what else he’s lying about.”
Cox responded by saying, “This is the most uncivil I have ever dealt with in my entire career.”
Project Tango could become a test case for hyperscale data centers in South Florida. What happens in Palm Beach County could affect future proposals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Developers point to jobs, tax revenue and the growing technical need for data centers.
Residents and environmental advocates say the projects require stronger regulations and safeguards.
“Data centers are going to continue to exist. We need them. It’s the wave of the future,” Napoleone said.
“There’s places to build them. I don’t think they’re here next to a community.”
“If I have a choice between it being in Florida or Georgia, well, I’d rather it be in Florida,” Cox said.
“We are not saying no to any data centers,” Reichert said. “What we’re saying is, put them in the right places. Make sure they have the right technologies.”
“Just don’t do it in front of communities, don’t do it in front of schools,” Frazier said. “I mean, that’s horrible. Who would even consider doing that?”
Project Tango’s expansion master plan went before the Palm Beach County Commission on Wednesday, with the outcome being a 5-1 vote denying the proposal.
While some communities may enact bans or receive temporary reprieves, data centers appear to be inevitable. Big Tech is forecast to spend $1 trillion on projects next year.
Meanwhile, organizers across the country are planning an AI Data Center National Day of Protest next Saturday, with nearly 100 demonstrations scheduled, including nine in Florida, one at the proposed Project Tango site.
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