SpaceX plans to build a data center in Arizona, spending 67 trillion won

Amid growing public opposition surrounding data centers, Space

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 13th (local time), SpaceX announced that it will spend $50 billion (about 67 trillion won) to build a data center in Cochise County, Arizona.

As if taking into account the criticism that data centers would consume a huge amount of power and water resources when built, they announced that they would not use water through dry cooling and that they would work with local power cooperatives to lower electricity rates.

In addition, SpaceX expected that 5,500 construction jobs and 1,000 full-time jobs would be created through this center.

Despite these promises, the response from local residents is not positive.

Local broadcasters KVOA and others reported that 2,400 people have already signed a petition to reject the construction of a data center.

The biggest concern is water. Arizona is one of the regions that is currently experiencing a water resource depletion crisis. Residents also added that the area near the data center site is a wintering ground for cranes, a protected animal, and that there are concerns about environmental destruction.

Resident Vincent Fiore raised his voice saying that he does not want to build a data center, saying, “I think (SpaceX) chose this place because they think we are stupid countrymen.”

The local city council plans to hold a public hearing on the 9th of next month.

On the 9th, Space

The site size is approximately 1.8 million m2, and it was decided to be built at Starbase, where SpaceX's facilities are already dense.

What stands out is that they decided to produce electricity themselves. According to SpaceX's application, 35 natural gas turbines and a 748 megawatt (MW) power generation facility will be built.

The remaining obstacle is obtaining approval from the Democratic Party-led state government.

Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa promised to block the construction of new data centers as a pledge when she was a candidate, and emphasized this policy again while expressing her feelings about being elected.