County ends data center moratorium following court ruling
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors repealed its temporary moratorium on data center facilities in unincorporated areas after a Superior Court ruling favored Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, the developer of a proposed 330-megawatt AI and high-performance computing campus. The project remains subject to zoning, environmental review and other regulatory requirements, and continues to face opposition over its size, water and electricity demands, and potential air-quality impacts.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance repealing and setting aside the county’s temporary data center moratorium, complying with a Superior Court order. The court found that the county had not made the findings required under California law to adopt or extend the permit freeze and directed officials to stop enforcing the ordinances.
The ruling was a victory for Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC, which is proposing a 950,000-square-foot, 330-megawatt AI and high-performance computing campus near Aten and Clark roads. The project would include a developer-funded substation, battery storage and on-site generation, but the court did not authorize construction or determine which zoning rules apply. A separate lawsuit requires a full environmental impact report, while residents, the City of Imperial and environmental groups continue to oppose the project over its scale, proximity to neighborhoods, water and electricity use, and potential air-quality effects.