Chandler's data center vote triggers national progressive praise
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
A controversial City Council vote in Chandler, a typically quiet Phoenix suburb, is getting attention from some of the nation's most prominent progressive leaders.
Why it matters: A proposed data center turned into a referendum on artificial intelligence — and former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who's now a lobbyist pushing for the project.
Catch up quick: Chandler City Council last week unanimously rejected a rezoning request for a 43,000-square-foot data center planned for the corner of Price and Dobson roads.
- Sinema, a senior adviser on Hogan Lovells' government relations and public affairs team, appeared before Chandler's planning commission in October to advocate for the project and warn that if it wasn't approved, the Trump administration would likely step in.
The big picture: Data centers have become a topic of controversy nationwide amid concerns about energy and water use, environmental issues, public health concerns, noise and aesthetics.
- Resident pushback is forcing a national conversation about where data centers — needed for AI and other cutting-edge technologies — should be located and how to minimize their impact.
The latest: "Congratulations to the people of Chandler, AZ, who — despite a fierce lobbying campaign — defeated a massive AI data center that would have raised utility bills and drained scarce water," U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., posted on X on Saturday.
- "Good!" U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, posted last Friday in response to the vote.
- Both politicians have been vocal critics of Sinema, in addition to data centers.
The intrigue: The Chandler City Council is controlled by pro-business moderates, making the kudos from the progressive firebrands unusual.
- Council members cited resident concerns and questioned the data centers' business strategy in their vote explanations.
The other side: Neither Sinema nor Hogan Lovells responded to Axios' request for comment on how the former senator's involvement impacted the council decision.