Court overturns approval of Imperial County data center, orders environmental review
An Imperial County judge has overturned the approval of a large data center complex, ordering officials to conduct an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The ruling came after legal challenges from the city of Imperial and the Sierra Club, who argued the project was illegally shielded from review. The developer, Sebastian Rucci, expressed disappointment and plans to appeal the decision.
An Imperial County judge has halted the development of a nearly 1-million square-foot data center complex in Imperial County, California, ordering county officials to analyze its potential environmental impacts. Superior Court Judge Brooks Anderholt ruled that the county had illegally shielded the project from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when it approved a lot merger for the complex in April.
The ruling is a significant victory for a coalition of Imperial Valley residents, local officials, and environmental advocates, including the City of Imperial and the Sierra Club, who had filed legal challenges. These groups had voiced concerns about the project's potential effects on the rural county's power grid, water supply, and air quality, arguing that the complex, which includes a battery system, natural gas generators, and a new power substation, required thorough environmental scrutiny.
Sebastian Rucci, the Huntington Beach-based developer behind the project, expressed disappointment with the decision but stated his intention to appeal. He also mentioned that his company had identified other potential data center locations further from residential areas. Rucci reiterated his belief that the project would bring significant economic benefits to the region, including an estimated $12 million in annual tax revenue, a point he believes is being overlooked.