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Contact: Ava Coulter

Marketing and Communications Specialist

coulter@edawn.org, 775-343-6811

EDAWN Calls for Balanced, Data-Driven Data Center Policy That Protects Reno’s Competitive Edge

RENO, Nev. (April 20, 2026) — Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) president and CEO, Taylor Adams, submitted comment today to the Reno City Council on proposed development code updates for data centers, scheduled for discussion under Item C.1 on the Council’s April 22 agenda. EDAWN’s letter also responds to the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter’s opposing ordinance concepts, urging a balanced approach that supports responsible development while preserving Northern Nevada’s competitive position.

In the letter, Adams acknowledged the Sierra Club’s environmental focus and recommended the Council adopt policies grounded in current data and coordinated with existing state and utility frameworks.

“Data centers are a real opportunity for Northern Nevada, including high-quality jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure investment,” said Adams. “Nevada ranks among the top states nationally for data center investment, and Reno can be part of that story, but getting the policy right matters.”

EDAWN’s comment highlights several points for the Council to weigh:

  • Current development is limited, not rushed. Northern Nevada’s peak demand is approximately 2,100 MW (see TMRPA Research Areas, Energy), with queued data center proposals largely concentrated in Storey County. Builds are constrained by transmission capacity and extensive review under Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) Rule 9.
  • Water use is already carefully managed. Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) requires developers to purchase and dedicate water rights, plus an 11% drought reserve, before service. According to regional planning data (see TMRPA Research Areas, Water), approved Reno projects average 0.45 acre-feet per MW, lower than comparable uses such as casinos or hospitals.
  • Industry standards already drive efficiency. Hyperscale operators achieve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratios of 1.1 to 1.2 through efficient design, and many use closed-loop or immersion cooling with minimal water loss.
  • Local employment impact extends well beyond facility staff. Data centers maintain substantial service contracts with local mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and security firms, providing ongoing skilled-trade work throughout the region.
  • Regional consistency serves residents better than local patchworks. Ordinances that differ sharply from neighboring jurisdictions risk redirecting projects to Storey, Lyon or Clark Counties without producing better environmental outcomes.

Adams underscored these points in a Northern Nevada Business Weekly interview earlier this month, noting that data center cooling technology has fundamentally evolved: “The majority of data centers that are being built in the West are using closed-loop systems and chillers. This industry has modernized and advanced in ways that benefit the communities in which they are located.”

EDAWN recommends the Council prioritize performance-based standards, regional coordination with NV Energy and TMWA, and alignment with existing state-level frameworks rather than layering hyper-local requirements that could make Washoe County a regulatory outlier.

“We’re committed to working with the City of Reno, Washoe County, NV Energy, TMWA and community partners to build a framework that protects residents and keeps Northern Nevada competitive,” Adams added. “That’s how our region wins.”

EDAWN has offered to provide additional data to Council members and staff and to facilitate discussions with industry partners.

Read more: EDAWN’s full letter to the Reno City Council

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About EDAWN: The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization established in 1983 funded primarily by private investors with support from public partners, committed to supporting, growing, and maintaining a vibrant and sustainable economy in Northern Nevada.  For more information, visit: www.edawn.org