Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari, Grijalva Press Trump Administration for Answers on Proposed Data Center on Public Lands

Lawmakers seek transparency on four Arizona proposals covering more than 3,000 acres of federal public land

Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for answers after reporting revealed that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is weighing data center-related proposals on federal public land.

The proposals, not previously made public, show that the Trump administration is considering 12 data centers and data center-related infrastructure projects covering more than 17,600 acres of federal public land across Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Four of the proposed data centers and related infrastructure projects are in Arizona, and they would span more than 3,000 acres of federal public land here.

In the letter, thelawmakers raisequestions about how these data center proposals were fast-tracked by Trump's Executive Order 14318; how the projects will be implemented; and what this could mean for environmental reviews, public oversight, and Arizona's water and energy resources.

"Arizonans are entitled to transparency and robust public review as BLM considers such developments on our federal lands," the lawmakers wrote.

The delegation requested a congressional briefing before any of the proposed Arizona projects move forward. By October 2, 2026, they demand that Secretary Burgum provide information on:

• All data center proposals and candidate parcels under consideration in Arizona.
• The permitting and environmental review required for each proposal, including whether BLM intends to use categorical exclusions or other expedited procedures.
• Opportunities for public participation and consultation with Tribal governments, local governments, and elected officials; and the projected water demand, water source and peak electric load associated with each proposed project.

Read the full letter here.