MEETING NOTES: Desert groundwater agency hears overwhelming opposition to proposed desert data center
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority's meeting was met with overwhelming public opposition to a proposed AI data center in Inyokern, promoted by R&L Capital, Inc., primarily due to concerns about water use in an already overdrafted basin. Despite the project not formally being before the board yet, the authority voted to add the data center to its next meeting agenda to consider an official stance.
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority's May 13 meeting drew significant public comment expressing overwhelming opposition to a proposed artificial intelligence data center in Inyokern, California, being promoted by R&L Capital, Inc. Residents voiced fears that the developer might try to bypass local agencies by seeking approval from the California Energy Commission.
Concerns centered on the data center's anticipated water use in the critically overdrafted Indian Wells Valley subbasin. Audience member Renee Westa-Lusk highlighted Assembly Bill 2469, which aims to limit such centers in water-stressed areas and mandates greater disclosure of water consumption. Groundwater authority Vice Chair Phillip Peters, who also chairs the Kern County Board of Supervisors, explained that the board could not take an official stance as the project had not yet formally come before them, emphasizing the need for fair consideration to both the applicant and opposition.
Several attendees speculated that the developer might be proposing only a fraction of the project, with plans for greater expansion, which former legal counsel Phil Hall noted could be considered illegal "piecemealing" under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Following public demand, Peters committed to making a referral for the board to discuss the matter at its next meeting. The board unanimously voted to include the AI data center as an action item on its June 10 agenda to determine whether to send an official letter of support or opposition. Public sentiment, as expressed by Beth Cardinez, indicated widespread community opposition.