Coachella, Palm Springs Take Action On Data Centers
Coachella, California, has become the first city in Riverside County to permanently ban data centers via a new ordinance, following community backlash to a cancelled agreement. Concurrently, Palm Springs has enacted a temporary 45-day moratorium on data center development to evaluate impacts and develop appropriate regulations. Both cities, along with others in the county, are responding to concerns about environmental, water, and electricity usage from hyperscale data centers.
The city of Coachella, California, has adopted an ordinance that permanently bans data centers, making it the first city in Riverside County to do so. This decision came after several months of community backlash concerning a now-cancelled agreement with Coachella Valley Power Services LLC, a subsidiary of Stronghold Power Systems Inc. Residents, including Carla Rocha, voiced the importance of community awareness and activism in influencing the city's decisions, leading to the ordinance's adoption. The ban is set to take effect 30 days after the council's vote.
Approximately 30 miles away, the Palm Springs City Council unanimously voted to implement a temporary 45-day moratorium on data center land use. Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein clarified that this measure is not against technology but reflects the rapid pace of change, requiring careful governance. The moratorium temporarily halts the city from processing or approving any data center-related applications or permits, excluding incidental equipment in other businesses.
Councilmember Grace Garner highlighted the need for caution and thoughtful consideration, especially regarding hyperscale data centers, emphasizing community engagement. Planning Director Chris Hadwin noted that Palm Springs is currently updating its zoning code, a process expected to conclude within a year, which will incorporate specific language for data centers. Both city staff and residents expressed concerns about the environmental, community, and economic impacts of hyperscale data centers, including significant water and electricity use, minimal permanent job creation, and strain on local infrastructure and services like fire and police. Similar actions and concerns have been reported in nearby cities such as Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Perris.