Coalition Marks Passage of Monterey Park Data Center Ban
The community in Monterey Park, California, successfully passed Measure NDC, a ballot initiative that bans data center development in the city. Concerns over public infrastructure, utility rates, environmental impact, and transparency drove the community-led effort. The vote is seen as a precedent for other communities in the San Gabriel Valley and Southern California facing similar data center proposals.
The Yes on Measure NDC coalition announced the successful passage of Measure NDC, a ballot initiative in Monterey Park, California, that prohibits data center development. Community members initiated the measure due to concerns about public infrastructure capacity, potential utility rate increases, lack of transparency, and environmental and quality-of-life impacts from proposed data centers.
Je-Show Yang, Campaign Manager for Yes on Measure NDC, stated that the election results reflect voters' desire for greater accountability in data center project decisions. State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, representing Monterey Park, highlighted Measure NDC as the first citizen-approved ban on data centers in the U.S., emphasizing the power of community organizing in the San Gabriel Valley. Amy J. Wong of SGV Progressive Action affirmed communities' authority to prioritize residents' interests in land-use decisions.
Speakers at the press conference, including Monterey Park Councilmember Jose Sanchez, also referenced other community concerns in Southern California, such as a proposed data center at the Puente Hills Mall in the City of Industry, citing issues like water consumption and fire hazards. Additionally, the City of Coachella recently enacted a 45-day temporary moratorium on data centers and terminated an agreement with Stronghold Power Solutions, exploring a permanent prohibition following local opposition.