Local residents orchestrate impressive takedown of massive data center project

Residents in Monterey Park, California, have successfully orchestrated a significant halt to a proposed data center project, planned to be the size of four football fields. Opposition, led by groups like No Data Center Monterey Park (NDCMP), was vocal and multicultural, with thousands of residents protesting in English, Chinese, and Spanish. This concerted effort resulted in the enactment of a 45-day moratorium, stalling construction. City leaders are now preparing to potentially implement a permanent ban on the facility. Key concerns cited by residents include the data center's potential strain on America's power grid, its significant water consumption for cooling (an issue highlighted by the 2 billion gallons consumed by Northern Virginia data centers in 2023), noise pollution, and harmful air pollution from its 14 proposed diesel generators. Steven Kung, co-founder of No Data Center Monterey Park, described the community's resistance as a "revolt." Andrew Yip, a community organizer with San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, emphasized the community's unity in looking out for one another. Although a victory has been achieved, activists anticipate more work ahead, as the city council may put the decision up for a vote in November, requiring continued educational campaigns. The article also notes a broader trend of community opposition to data centers across the country, citing Data Center Watch reports of numerous projects being blocked.