US Public Lands Face Surge in Proposed AI Data Center Projects
A new conservation analysis reveals that at least 17 data center projects and related facilities have been proposed on US public lands.
US Public Lands Face Surge in Proposed AI Data Center Projects
A new conservation analysis reveals that at least 17 data center projects and related facilities have been proposed on US public lands.
Surge in Data Center Projects on Federal Land
The artificial intelligence boom is increasingly driving developers to seek out land owned by the American public. According to reporting on an analysis from the Center for Western Priorities (CWP), at least 17 data center projects and associated infrastructure are currently proposed on US public lands.
The conservation group released its findings on October 20, 2026, tracking applications across federal land in six Western states: Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. CWP's broader count indicates that there are at least 35 active or pending applications before the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), covering a total of more than 24,000 acres.
Rapid Growth and Notable Filings
The pace of filings has accelerated significantly in recent months. In September 2026, the count stood at approximately 12 proposals covering roughly 17,600 acres, which grew to at least 35 applications spanning over 24,000 acres about a month later. Not every application represents a standalone campus, as some filings cover supporting infrastructure such as rights-of-way for power and transmission.
Several notable entities have appeared in the filings. Copia Power is linked to multiple right-of-way applications spread across Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho. Meanwhile, Valar Atomics has proposed a nuclear-powered facility in Utah that covers more than 9,000 acres.
Policy Drivers and Environmental Pushback
Much of this activity traces back to a July 2025 executive order issued by the Trump administration, which was designed to speed up permitting for data centers tied to artificial intelligence, particularly facilities drawing more than 100 MW of power. However, local and environmental pushback has grown alongside the rising application count.
Concerns center primarily on the amount of water and energy these facilities consume, as well as potential losses of public access to the land. In Arizona, lawmakers have called for greater transparency regarding the projects, while advocacy groups have urged a moratorium on new data center developments to prevent severe strains on local resources. Additionally, one previously approved 88.5-acre facility in Nevada's Eldorado Valley was sent back for further environmental review following appeals.
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