Lyon County Planning Commission Approves Monarch Data Center
via Dax McCoy, KOLO 8
READ & WATCH original story: www.kolotv.com/2026/07/15/lyon-county-planning-commission-approves-monarch-data-center/
YERINGTON, Nev. (KOLO) -The Lyon County Planning Commission voted 4-3 on July 14 to advance the proposed Monarch Data Center, moving the project one step closer to approval despite opposition from the overwhelming majority of those who attended the hearing.
Planning Commissioners Wendy Loomis, Michael Irvin and Audrey Allan voted against the motion.
More than 100 constituents filled the commission chambers and an overflow room. An additional group joined via Zoom, bringing total participation to more than 200 people. A strong majority of those in attendance spoke against the project.
Scott Lommori, who spoke in favor of the data center got quite a reaction when he called attention to what he called hypocrisy by the anti-data center crowd.
“You’re being hypocritical if you don’t think you’re using the data center,” Lommori said as the crowd reacted to him by laughing. “If we’re totally against the data systems and everything else, then why don’t we walk the walk and turn off our phones and get off the internet completely.”
Attendees included union workers, property owners, Paiute tribal members, environmental activists and other concerned community members.
The Monarch Data Center is projected to require 1,000 megawatts of power, enough to power hundreds of thousands of family homes. It will also require 800 acre-feet of water, the equivalent of filling 800 football fields with one foot of water.
Copia, the company leading the project, said it will not seek tax abatements during their presentation. They project the county would generate $2.5 billion in revenue over 25 years.
Tribal member John Dini said the project has not consulted with the Paiute people, which he was firm in calling a requirement.
“They’re not hearing us. They never heard us. We can make public comments all day but they already had their mind made up, and that’s sad,” Dini said.
The Monarch Data Center project still has additional hurdles to clear. The Lyon County Commissioners will take up the matter at their meeting on Aug. 6. A community workshop on data centers is also scheduled for Aug. 3.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
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1) Carson Now - Read, Watch: Lyon County leaders face public pushback amid surge in data center and energy development
2) The Nevada Independent - Read: How has your city or county regulated data centers? Here's the latest in Nevada
3) Pizen Switch Times - Monarch Data Center's Narrative, Site Plan, and Visuals: https://pizenswitchtimes.com/2026/07/13/monarch-data-centers-presentations-supporting-documentation-for-planning-commission-july-14-2026/
