Who in the West Valley will benefit from Project Baccara?

OPINION — In the wake of the recent Waste Management landfill fire in Surprise, I couldn’t help but worry that my sore throat and difficulty breathing might soon become a daily reality.

By the time the fire is completely mitigated, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will vote on a measure that could mean permanently poorer air quality.

The Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce weighed in recently presumably on an opposition movement demanding action by the city of Surprise and Maricopa County regarding the proposal for an AI data center built just outside city limits (Project Baccara).

The chamber warned that a “patchwork" of local ordinances could stifle progress and economic growth. A question worth asking is whose progress and at whose expense?

Project Baccara proposes less than 70 new jobs (many of them janitorial) yet according to project submissions will cause a significant decrease in air quality for hundreds of thousands of West Valley residents due to its plan to use 23 natural gas turbines — and more data center proposals directly next to our city wait in the wings.

Who benefits, and who bears the cost? There’s little evidence to suggest a direct benefit to Surprise residents, but we’re all about to take a hit to our respiratory health.

Demanding common sense regulations for data centers is not backward, it’s holding corporations to a reasonable standard. Innovators will find a way to meet regulations once they are imposed. We all benefit from challenging a current iteration which is harmful and setting clear expectations.

With limited regulation at the state and federal level, a patchwork of ordinances may be the only path to protecting our health and our future.

The Board of Supervisors will vote on May 6. Concerned citizens can phone/email board members or attend the meeting in person.

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