As a City Council candidate, I’ve been asked about my stance on Project Blue. While I recognize Tucson’s need for economic growth, I am equally concerned about sustainability and have therefore decided to reserve judgment until fully informed. After attending the City of Tucson’s public meeting, I have more questions than answers. The developer’s claims of water positivity and “emergency-only generator use” did not address conservationists’ concerns, especially given other data centers’ impacts. “Lessons learned” lacked specifics, and the equipment lifecycle’s environmental footprint was not discussed. Union tradespeople emphasized jobs, but without best-value contracts prioritizing local contractors, low-bid deals may exclude Tucsonans. The City must provide transparent answers, clear contract terms, and a detailed sustainability plan to gain support. Higher fees alone won’t mitigate environmental harm. Constituents must also engage respectfully, without outbursts. Tucson’s history, such as Grant Road’s broken promises, shows that honest dialogue is needed for trust. Until these concerns are addressed, I remain undecided.
Janet "JL" Wittenbraker
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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