Some Oaklanders Opposed to Proposed Data Center
Oakland residents and the Party for Socialism and Liberation are opposing Behring Companies' proposed data center in downtown Oakland, citing environmental concerns, distrust, and a desire for community-benefiting projects. The group has launched a petition advocating for a city-wide data center ban, drawing parallels to a temporary ban enacted in Oakley. Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife is working on regulations for responsible AI, while Behring Companies maintains the project's necessity for their overall development and addresses environmental concerns.
A proposed data center development by Behring Companies in downtown Oakland, California, is facing strong opposition from local residents and the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). The project, which includes a 20,000-square-foot data center as part of a larger four-building innovation hub with housing, office space, and parking on 20th Street, is viewed with distrust by opponents who cite environmental concerns related to high energy and water usage. Bryan Ortega, a long-time Oakland resident, expressed his disapproval, stating, "Keep data centers out of Oakland," and questioned the developer's intentions.
Aditi Varshneya, an organizer with PSL, highlighted the group's efforts to gather over 3,500 signatures on a petition calling on the Oakland City Council to implement a city-wide ban on data centers. This initiative follows similar pushback against data center projects elsewhere in the Bay Area, notably in Oakley, where a developer withdrew a data center proposal after resident protests led to a temporary ban. While some cities opt for regulation over outright bans, Councilmember Carroll Fife, representing downtown Oakland, stated she is working on developing regulations for responsible AI.
Behring Companies CEO Colin Behring defends the project, stating that the data center is integral to the entire development and dismissing concerns about water and energy consumption by citing newer water-cooling technologies and California's energy production. However, many Oakland residents, including Areli Hernandez, remain unconvinced and unaware of the proposal, prompting calls for greater public disclosure. PSL plans to continue its opposition and community awareness efforts, including an upcoming organizing meeting at the Oakland Liberation Center.