‘I Don’t Trust Them’: The Data Center Fight Mobilizing Imperial County Voters
Residents across Imperial County are organizing against a proposed nearly 1-million-square-foot data center near the city of Imperial, citing environmental, water, energy and quality-of-life concerns. The project has been stalled after a judge found the county improperly allowed it to proceed without a state environmental review, while Imperial County and Calexico have adopted data center restrictions.
A proposed data center by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC has become a major political issue in Imperial County, where residents from across the political spectrum are campaigning against officials who supported the project. The nearly 1-million-square-foot facility is planned on unincorporated land near Imperial, close to homes and schools. Opponents cite potential impacts on water, air quality, energy demand, property values and the local power grid, which already faces strain during hot weather.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors initially approved a land-merge plan needed for the project, but later imposed a moratorium after public backlash. Imperial County Superior Court Judge L. Brooks Anderholt subsequently found that officials had illegally allowed the project to advance without a required state environmental review, leaving it stalled. The county approved another moratorium in October, while the Calexico City Council unanimously banned data centers within the city. Supervisors Jesus Eduardo Escobar and Martha Cardenas-Singh are also backing a special election on whether to ban facilities on unincorporated county land, and opponents are using the issue to influence local elections and pursue a recall of Supervisor Peggy Price.