How a mysterious $3.6 billion data center threatens our water, funds military surveillance, and turns our desert into a testing ground for digital warfare
Thank you for reading my VERY long newsletter on this project. I had to go back and put a TL;DR in there because not everyone would have time to read all of it. Appreciate everyone who is engaged and reaching out with their additional questions and concerns.
Thank you for commenting and for your letter, Councilor Lee.
When it comes to the future of our water in the desert, especially during a drought, no newsletter is too long. I'd wish the Pima BOS asked as many questions as you did.
I can see technology secrets being part of an NDA, but total water usage and energy usage, including the use of diesel generators and potable water usage until they get up and going, and even then, how much reclaimed water they need and how much they preserve (how this project is water POSITIVE I have no idea, maybe it IS NOT?), should all be public record since it is OUR WATER!
I can assure you that I do not know who the end user(s) would be. That’s probably under the NDA, but I’ve never been briefed on that.
Agree, I support keeping their legitimately proprietary details protected, but water should be something we can discuss openly. It’s our most critical shared resource.
Thank you again for covering the info I’m trying to put out. (And to acknowledge how hot it was this AM!) 🥵 There was quite a bit of damage and real concern when folks saw the quote and it was so important to me to get out there and set the record straight. Thank you again!
Oh my goodness, thank you again for making sure folks are aware of what’s going on in our community.
Honestly, I feel like I’m just doing the job I’m blessed to do. When I first ran for office I used to wonder if I really belonged in spaces like this (being a tech nerd and all…there’s not many of us). I told the Mayor recently that I’ve been preparing my whole adult life for this, and I’m ready to help us navigate this as best as possible. We have to get it right.
After this, I do think nerds like me belong in city halls, state houses, and Congress. But not evil nerds…only the good ones. BIG difference!
It's well worth reading Nikki Lee's June 26 newsletter about Project Blue. She has a sff list of unanswered questions about Project Blue. You know, all the things the Pima County Supervisors should have asked, before 3 of them voted to approve it.
You can find her newsletter on Tucson's website under Ward 4.
Tucson can live and thrive without Project Blue. We can't live and we can't thrive without water and without affordable air conditioning!
People need to call & email the mayor and all 6 of the city Councilors including Nikki Lee to express your opinions. We need Councilwoman Lee to stand firm about getting the answers to her questions!
I'm not antimilitary, but the idea of militarized AI in Trump's hands and in the hands of his appointees is terrifying!
Thank you for reading my VERY long newsletter on this project. I had to go back and put a TL;DR in there because not everyone would have time to read all of it. Appreciate everyone who is engaged and reaching out with their additional questions and concerns.
Thank you for commenting and for your letter, Councilor Lee.
When it comes to the future of our water in the desert, especially during a drought, no newsletter is too long. I'd wish the Pima BOS asked as many questions as you did.
I can see technology secrets being part of an NDA, but total water usage and energy usage, including the use of diesel generators and potable water usage until they get up and going, and even then, how much reclaimed water they need and how much they preserve (how this project is water POSITIVE I have no idea, maybe it IS NOT?), should all be public record since it is OUR WATER!
I can assure you that I do not know who the end user(s) would be. That’s probably under the NDA, but I’ve never been briefed on that.
Agree, I support keeping their legitimately proprietary details protected, but water should be something we can discuss openly. It’s our most critical shared resource.
https://threesonorans.substack.com/p/when-ai-meets-ancient-waters-the
Thank you again for covering the info I’m trying to put out. (And to acknowledge how hot it was this AM!) 🥵 There was quite a bit of damage and real concern when folks saw the quote and it was so important to me to get out there and set the record straight. Thank you again!
Thank you for your updates!
https://threesonorans.substack.com/p/nikki-lee-charts-the-waters-how-ward
Oh my goodness, thank you again for making sure folks are aware of what’s going on in our community.
Honestly, I feel like I’m just doing the job I’m blessed to do. When I first ran for office I used to wonder if I really belonged in spaces like this (being a tech nerd and all…there’s not many of us). I told the Mayor recently that I’ve been preparing my whole adult life for this, and I’m ready to help us navigate this as best as possible. We have to get it right.
After this, I do think nerds like me belong in city halls, state houses, and Congress. But not evil nerds…only the good ones. BIG difference!
It's well worth reading Nikki Lee's June 26 newsletter about Project Blue. She has a sff list of unanswered questions about Project Blue. You know, all the things the Pima County Supervisors should have asked, before 3 of them voted to approve it.
You can find her newsletter on Tucson's website under Ward 4.
Tucson can live and thrive without Project Blue. We can't live and we can't thrive without water and without affordable air conditioning!
People need to call & email the mayor and all 6 of the city Councilors including Nikki Lee to express your opinions. We need Councilwoman Lee to stand firm about getting the answers to her questions!
I'm not antimilitary, but the idea of militarized AI in Trump's hands and in the hands of his appointees is terrifying!
Yep, we mention Nikki Lee's letter in the following section:
https://threesonorans.substack.com/i/166934041/nikki-lees-calculated-optimism-reading-between-the-non-disclosure-lines