Nevada’s Data Center Crisis: Solutions for Our Future

Written By Gamaliel Zavala Enriquez

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Nevada’s Second Congressional District,

Nevada stands at a crossroads. As data centers multiply across our state and consume record levels of power and water, frustration is mounting—from rural ranchers to city dwellers, from small business owners to union workers. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a question of whether Nevada’s future will be shaped by outside interests or by the will and well-being of Nevadans.

Recent headlines have drawn attention to a tangled web of political connections, corporate interests, and international intrigue. There has been speculation about Teresa Benitez-Thompson’s tenure in the state legislature, Eric Trump’s business dealings in Las Vegas, and even ties to China through foreign investment and data infrastructure. However, credible reporting shows the strongest, well-documented link is policy-based: Nevada legislators—including Benitez-Thompson—supported generous tax incentives and infrastructure investments that fueled the data center boom. The Trump Organization, led in part by Eric Trump, maintains significant real estate holdings in Las Vegas, but there is no direct, reported link between Benitez-Thompson and Eric Trump regarding data centers.

The Data Center Crisis: How Did We Get Here?

For years, Nevada offered generous tax breaks and incentives to attract data center development. Advocates claimed these facilities would bring jobs and diversify our economy. But as extensively reported by the Reno Gazette Journal and the Financial Times, the reality has been far more complicated: data centers require massive amounts of water and electricity—resources already stretched thin in Nevada’s arid climate. They offer far fewer permanent jobs than promised, and their benefits have flowed primarily to large tech companies and foreign investors.

During her time in Carson City, Teresa Benitez-Thompson supported many of the incentives that made Nevada a magnet for data center projects. The resulting boom has led to an energy and water crunch, exacerbating tensions between local communities, utility providers, and state officials. Meanwhile, high-profile figures and foreign capital—sometimes with connections to Las Vegas real estate and even overseas interests—have only intensified public concern about who really benefits from these deals.

As journalist Karen Hao has reported, communities across the U.S. are pushing back against unchecked data center expansion—demanding greater transparency and accountability, and warning that development often prioritizes corporate profits over community needs and environmental sustainability.

A Path Forward: My Solutions for Nevada

As your Congressman, I will take a stand for transparency, accountability, and the long-term interests of Nevadans. Here’s how I will address the data center crisis and restore balance to our state’s growth:

  1. A Moratorium on New Data Centers I have advocated—and will continue to push—for an immediate moratorium on new data center construction until we have a full accounting of their impact on our resources, infrastructure, and communities. We must pause and assess before moving forward.

  2. A Bill of Rights for Artificial Intelligence Nevadans deserve clear protections in the age of AI and big data. My proposed “AI Bill of Rights” would guarantee that AI development and data center operations respect privacy, civil liberties, and human dignity.

  3. Independent, Nonpartisan Study I will sponsor legislation for a nonpartisan commission to study the real economic, environmental, and social costs of data centers and AI growth in Nevada. This study will provide the facts—not spin—and guide future policy with evidence, not ideology.

  4. Humanity-First Technology Policy We must strike a balance between innovation and the rights of Nevadans. I will fight to ensure that technology serves people—not the other way around. That means strong oversight, robust regulation, and a voice for local communities in all decisions.

  5. Ecological and Economic Justice If data centers continue to operate in Nevada, they must be held to the highest standards of environmental stewardship. I will explore ways to ensure that these facilities contribute to the public good—potentially as a source of universal basic income for Nevadans, funded by the windfall profits of tech companies that use our land and resources.

Let’s Put Nevadans First—Together

I hear your frustration. I share your concerns. It’s time for leadership that puts Nevada’s people, environment, and future ahead of special interests—whether they’re from Wall Street, Silicon Valley, or Beijing. With your support, we can demand accountability, protect our resources, and build a Nevada where technology works for everyone—not just a privileged few.

Thank you for standing with me.

Gamy Enriquez, MPA

Independent Democratic Candidate for Congress, Nevada’s Second District

References

Gamaliel Zavala Enriquez
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