Boulder City Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed AI Data Center

Residents skeptical of developer's claims about environmental and economic impacts of Townsite Solar 2 project

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:42am

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Dozens of Boulder City residents attended the first public meeting held by the developer of the proposed Townsite Solar 2 (TS2) AI data center project, voicing concerns over the environmental impact and potential effects on the city's power and water costs. The developer, Skylar Opportunities, claims the project will bring economic benefits, but residents remain skeptical of the company's assurances.

Why it matters

The proposed data center has sparked a debate within the Boulder City community over the balance between economic development and environmental preservation. Residents are concerned about the project's potential impact on the local ecosystem, as well as the financial burden it could place on the city and its residents.

The details

The TS2 project would be built on 88 acres of open desert and is expected to bring in $2.6 million in the first year and $1.5 million each year after that, according to the developer. It would also create 200-300 jobs during construction and 25-40 permanent jobs paying over $100,000. However, residents are skeptical of the developer's claims, with one resident, George Rhee, stating 'They say it won't use any water. It won't affect our energy costs. There's no significant heat footprint. All these things are false, in my opinion.' The developer has made some changes to the plan, such as switching to an air-cooled closed-loop system instead of using effluent water from the city, but residents remain unconvinced.

  • The first public meeting for the TS2 project was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • A Change.org petition against the project has gathered nearly 2,200 signatures since it was created two weeks ago.

The players

Skylar Opportunities

The developer of the Townsite Solar 2 (TS2) project, which is proposing to build an AI data center in Boulder City.

Richard Lammers

The manager of development for Skylar Opportunities, who spoke at the public meeting and said the company will 'listen, and we're going to adapt and try to make this project the best data center in the entire country.'

George Rhee

A Boulder City resident who expressed skepticism about the developer's claims, stating 'They say it won't use any water. It won't affect our energy costs. There's no significant heat footprint. All these things are false, in my opinion.'

Timothy Phillips

A Boulder City resident who appreciated the community meeting but would like to see an independent study to gain community trust in the project.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to listen, and we're going to adapt and try to make this project the best data center in the entire country.”

— Richard Lammers, Manager of Development, Skylar Opportunities

“They say it won't use any water. It won't affect our energy costs. There's no significant heat footprint. All these things are false, in my opinion.”

— George Rhee, Boulder City Resident

“If it goes through, it would help alleviate a lot of the concerns of the people, yay or nay.”

— Timothy Phillips, Boulder City Resident

What’s next

The developer said it will have more community feedback meetings before construction starts on the TS2 project.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental preservation in communities, as residents voice concerns over the potential impacts of large-scale technology projects. The developer's willingness to adapt and address community feedback will be crucial in determining whether the project can move forward in a way that balances the needs of the city and its residents.