California Town Bans Data Centers Permanently In Landslide Ballot Measure
Residents of Monterey Park, California, overwhelmingly voted to permanently ban data centers in their city, making it the first U.S. town to enact such a prohibition. The decision, supported by 86% of voters, follows an indefinite moratorium passed in April and reflects concerns over utility costs, environmental impact, and proximity to homes. Former mayor Jose Sanchez emphasized that the vote unequivocally demonstrates residents' opposition to data centers in their community.
The city of Monterey Park, California, has permanently banned data centers following a landslide ballot measure. Local voters approved the prohibition with 86% support from nearly 8,000 participants, making Monterey Park the first town in the United States to enact such a permanent ban. This decision comes after the city had already passed an indefinite moratorium on data center construction in April.
Residents' opposition was fueled by concerns over rising utility costs, the close proximity of data centers to residential areas, and potential environmental impacts. A proposed data center project in Monterey Park was projected to consume three times the electricity of the entire city and be situated less than 500 feet from the nearest home. Former Monterey Park mayor and current city council member Jose Sanchez stated that the referendum clearly indicates residents' disinterest in having data centers within their community.
The vote aligns with broader national sentiment, as a March 2026 Gallup Poll revealed that seven in ten Americans would oppose the construction of an AI data center near them, citing issues such as water usage, quality-of-life concerns, increased cost-of-living, and a general dislike for AI's potential impact on the job market.