From my window, my usual view of the mountains is blanketed in clouds, but so far I’m just seeing rain on the valley floor. Keep an eye on the forecast to ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes our way. To help, the City of Reno has a webpage devoted to Snow & Ice Control and here’s where to pick up sandbags, if needed.
This is also a great time to donate to the Good Neighbors Warming Center.
Below I have links to news & info concerning some of our local hot topics, and after that, updates from last week’s Reno City Council meeting. You can find all agendas and supporting materials for this week’s public City of Reno meetings including the Reno Planning Commission on the Current & Upcoming Meetings webpage.
DATA CENTERS
As I’ve mentioned before, the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency has introduced an online “one-stop shop” dedicated to energy and data centers. Titled Exploring TMRPA’s Role in the Energy Sector, it features these introductory words:
“Data centers are increasingly being drawn to the Reno–Sparks region due to a combination of geographic, infrastructure, and economic advantages. In response, TMRPA is reviewing our role in the energy sector including energy generation and transmission infrastructure and related policies in the Regional Plan. We want to stay vigilant and build a collective understanding of the impacts and opportunities data centers may bring to our region.”
The site includes information, links to other organizations, and lots of resources.
I’ve continued to seek out articles about data centers from Nevada and elsewhere to help keep us informed about the broader context and latest developments in this rapidly evolving arena. Here are a few that I found helpful this week:
- Turning the data center boom into long-term, local prosperity (Brookings 2/5/26). EXCERPT: “Regions should treat data center negotiations not as isolated real estate transactions but as ecosystem-shaping moments that trade infrastructure access for commitments to advance local innovation, talent, and industry strengths.”
- Data center water/power needs, regulatory challenges strain rural communities (Nevada Current 2/9/26). EXCERPT: “There are currently no state or county-wide regulations in Nevada guiding where data centers can and can’t be built. Smith [Jeremy Smith, TMRPA Director] said it will have to be on local governments to create more targeted policy interventions to manage the impacts of data centers, including creating zoning specifically for data centers.”
- Colorado lawmakers brace for their biggest battle yet over AI data centers (CPR News 1/20/26). EXCERPT: “The fight officially returned to the [Colorado] state capital last week when pro-business Democrats introduced a bill backed by data center industry groups. If approved, it would give data center developers a 20-year exemption from paying state sales and use taxes — if they meet a series of economic and environmental requirements.”
- Feds are encouraging tribes to partner with data centers (Wyoming Public Radio 2/13/26). EXCERPT: “Many tribal members are worried about the impact data centers have on the environment, as many rely on natural gas and coal. The federal government has long sought to take advantage of resources on tribal lands, often violating treaties and tribal sovereignty. The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which has about 1,300 members living on the reservation near Reno, Nev., has told the Mountain West News Bureau that it’s concerned about data centers draining precious water supplies.”
- OPINION: Data centers deserve a fact-based conversation in Nevada (Lea Tauchen, Executive Director of NAIOP Northern Nevada, RGJ 2/9/26). EXCERPT: “Data centers quietly support many of the services Nevadans rely on every day. They power health care systems, emergency response networks, manufacturing, logistics, education and the digital tools we use for work, school and staying connected. Even so, it is reasonable for residents to ask how these projects affect electricity costs, water use, jobs and long-term community value.”
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
My good friend Mike Van Houten was recently and most deservedly honored last week at Reno City Council with a proclamation and key to the city recognizing the 20th Anniversary of his online website and news initiative, Downtown Makeover. Congratulations, Mike! Here’s his latest post, on permits & plans for central Reno:
- Soccer fields, tenant improvements in MidTown and more permits (Downtown Makeover 2/12/26)
Be sure to follow Downtown Makeover on Facebook and Instagram for frequent posts.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Although much of downtown Reno’s historic fabric has been lost through the decades, we’re fortunate to have retained many structures of enormous historical significance.
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