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NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — PoliticsJuly 30, 2026Hillsborough

Palm Beach County Rejects Major Data Center Proposal Amid Water Concerns

Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-1 to reject the $2 billion 'Project Tango' AI data center, citing concerns over inconsistent water usage estimates and potential environmental impacts. The county has also initiated a temporary pause on new large-scale data center applications while officials evaluate stricter regulatory requirements.

data centerswater resourceszoningenvironmental regulationPalm Beach CountyAI infrastructure
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — Politics

Why It Matters

The decision sets a precedent for how Palm Beach County will handle future large-scale tech infrastructure projects, specifically regarding their impact on local drinking water supplies and regional ecosystems.

Key Facts

  • Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-1 to reject the Project Tango data center proposal.
  • The proposed facility was planned for a 200-acre site near the Arden neighborhood and Saddle View Elementary School.
  • The project was designed as a 600-megawatt facility with 4 million square feet of building space.
  • Project manager Ernie Cox estimated daily water usage at 5,000 gallons, while county staff projected 100,000 gallons of potable water daily.
  • The project required an initial 600,000 gallons of water to fill a closed-loop cooling system.
  • The county Zoning commission previously voted 7-0 against the project.
  • The county has implemented a temporary pause on all new large-scale data center applications.
  • A public hearing and first vote on a temporary ban for data centers is scheduled for August 27.
  • Senate Bill 484 requires public hearings before the issuance of water use permits for large-scale data centers.
  • The Project Tango denial was issued 'without prejudice,' allowing the developer to submit a revised application in the future.

Who's Mentioned

organizationSouth Florida Water Management District“The regional water regulatory authority.”organizationPBA Holdings“The applicant/developer for Project Tango.”personMaria Marino“Palm Beach County Commissioner who dissented and supported the project.”personErnie Cox“Project manager for the applicant.”personFrederick Bloetscher“Engineering professor at Florida Atlantic University and water expert.”personMaria Sachs“Palm Beach County Commissioner who voted against the project.”otherProject Tango“The proposed $2 billion AI data center project in Loxahatchee.”locationPalm Beach County“The local government body that voted to block the project.”