Trump pushes plan for 12 data centers on federal lands amid widespread opposition
The administration is considering 12 new data centers on roughly 17,600 acres of public land in six western states, a proposal that faces broad public and local resistance.
President Trump’s administration is evaluating a proposal to build up to 12 data centers on about 17,600 acres of federal land in six western states. The Bureau of Land Management says the sites would boost broadband capacity, improve electrical reliability and support tech-driven economies. The projects would be developed by Valar Atomics, Copia Power, Rhea Data and Arevia Power, though the exact acreage per center remains unclear.
Local officials say they were not consulted, and conservationists such as Aaron Weiss of Center for Western Priorities warn the plan sidesteps public participation. Idaho Sierra Club director Lisa Young described the potential environmental impacts as “apocalyptic.” The proposal arrives as more than 500 counties have restricted or banned data center construction and dozens of multi-billion-dollar projects have been stalled this year.
Why it matters
The plan could reshape public land use, affect local environments and intensify debate over tech infrastructure expansion.
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