Coachella becomes second California city to ban data centers as opposition swells in Golden State
The city of Coachella, California, permanently banned large-scale data centers following significant community opposition due to concerns about water, energy, and environmental impacts. This action makes Coachella the second California city to enact such a ban, while Palm Springs simultaneously approved a 45-day moratorium, and Adelanto's planning commission rejected zoning changes that could accommodate data centers, reflecting a growing statewide movement against data center development.
Coachella, California, has become the second city in the state to enact a permanent ban on large-scale data centers, a decision driven by strong community opposition citing concerns over water, energy, and environmental impacts. The Coachella City Council's vote on Wednesday followed a June decision to implement a 45-day moratorium, which was later extended to 10 months, and to terminate a utility agreement with Stronghold Power Systems for a proposed data center campus. Mayor Frank Figueroa emphasized that the ban reflects the "will of the people" and credited local activism groups like Viva La Causa for organizing residents.
Stronghold Power Systems CEO Scott Bailey expressed opposition to the council's decision, stating that the first phase of their proposed data center campus could have generated an estimated $54 million annually in public revenue, including funds for schools and the local water district. City leaders, however, determined that AI data centers were incompatible with Coachella's long-term planning goals, especially given the area's strained water supply and electrical infrastructure.
The anti-data center sentiment is spreading across California. Concurrently, the Palm Springs City Council enacted its own 45-day moratorium, citing similar concerns about environmental, infrastructure, and land use impacts. Planning Director Chris Hadwin noted the city's current zoning codes lack definitions and regulations for data centers, creating ambiguity. Residents voiced skepticism about the benefits of data centers, particularly regarding water and energy consumption in the desert climate. Councilwoman Grace Garner highlighted the need for study before allowing such developments, to avoid "huge detriments" seen elsewhere.
Further north in the Mojave Desert, the Adelanto Planning Commission recently rejected a proposal to amend land use laws that could have accommodated data centers. Although the commission's role is advisory, residents, including Stephanie Flores Aparicio, remain wary of the city's intentions to attract data center developers. Cities like Monterey Park, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Patterson have also passed moratoriums or are considering bans, signaling a broader statewide trend of scrutinizing data center development.