The company behind a proposed data center in Pima County is changing its design after concerns about water and electricity use drew strong opposition.

A memo from Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher to the Board of Supervisors says Beale Infrastructure is now planning to use a combination of air cooling and a closed-loop liquid coolant system to operate the center.

In a letter, Beale also argued it has the legal right to move forward with the $21 million land purchase from the county, even though the City of Tucson refused to annex the property. The land sale contract required annexation, but the company contends it has the right to waive that condition.

The City of Tucson previously rejected annexation and refused to provide cooling water for the project after residents raised concern

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