Local opinion: 50 ways to leave Project Blue

Honorable Mayor Romero and Tucson City Council members,

The community urges you to pause the decision on Project Blue’s annexation. This moment represents a pivotal opportunity for the long-term future of Tucson, a moment when several key regional decisions remain clouded by a lack of transparency and careful planning. Among these are Project Blue, the Tucson Electric Power Franchise Agreement, and the next 20-year Regional Transportation Authority plan and tax.

There are many compelling reasons to delay the annexation of PB:

Water-energy nexus: The future of this region depends on sustainable water and energy management. PB’s proposed water usage is troubling, especially since TEP’s electricity generation will lead to water consumption more than three times that needed to cool the data centers. Tucson Water, long a model of responsible utility management, should reject PB and continue its commitment to smart, sustainable water planning.

Economic impact is overblown: The $3.6 billion projected for PB is largely hype. Most of the investment will go to out-of-region tech vendors, with minimal permanent jobs created here. In contrast, the $75 million invested in Tucson’s Electric streetcar generated billions in private investment, a decade of construction jobs, and increased tax revenues. The economic development model of the future must evolve beyond PB’s short-term thinking.

Minimal revenue for the city: The projected annual revenue from PB for the City is alarmingly small — equivalent to just a 1/16 cent sales tax increase. This hardly justifies the environmental and social costs associated with the project.

Questionable partnerships: PB’s partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its alliance with Peter Thiel’s Palantir Technologies raises ethical concerns. Palantir’s focus on military and law enforcement surveillance is directly at odds with Tucson’s core values of privacy and civil liberties.

AI is inevitable, PB is not: The rapid expansion of AI and data centers is an unavoidable trend. Tucson doesn’t need PB to stay competitive in the growing AI economy. Tucson’s role as a hub for fostering innovation with the UA will remain strong without this project.

The climate crisis must be addressed: The climate crisis is already morphing into economic crisis. Business groups have failed to adequately address this threat, missing the economic opportunities that a transition to clean energy presents. We need forward-thinking policies that prioritize sustainable development and energy transition.

Climate damages are escalating: Recent reports highlight that climate models are underestimating the rate of change. The latest science confirms that climate heating is advancing faster than ever before, and the United States has already incurred nearly a trillion dollars in climate-related damages in the last year alone.

PB strengthens TEP’s monopoly: By granting TEP this enormous customer, Tucson will lose leverage in shaping its own energy future. This will further entrench TEP’s hold on the region, undermining efforts for greater energy sustainability.

TEP’s Net Zero Goal is inadequate: TEP’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 is insufficient. Despite years of evidence showing the urgency of climate action, TEP has been slow to adopt clean energy solutions, continuing to rely heavily on fossil fuels.

Coal plants must be retired now: The region cannot afford to wait for TEP to phase out coal plants on its own timeline. Immediate action is needed to protect the environment and shift to cleaner energy sources.

Community choice energy: Tucson has yet to explore Community Choice Energy (CCE), which would lower electricity rates, increase City revenues, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and accelerate the retirement of TEP’s outdated assets.

Timing matters: Given the long-term impact of PB, this decision should be postponed until after the November election —ensuring that Tucson’s newly elected Council Members can fully represent the community’s interests in this crucial decision.

In conclusion, we urge you to consider the long-term implications of Project Blue. The community deserves time to explore these issues thoroughly. Tucson’s future depends on making thoughtful decisions—not rushing to increase public revenues. Please pause the annexation and take the time to fully consider the far-reaching consequences of Project Blue.