AI Data Center Opponents Fight Back at Local Level
News ClipKQED·Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, CA·4/9/2026
The conflict over data center development is escalating in California, with Monterey Park residents set to vote on a city-wide ban in June. This local action is part of a broader trend of data center referendums across the U.S., while state lawmakers are seeking more oversight for the industry.
zoningoppositiongovernmentmoratorium
Gov: Monterey Park City Council, Sen. Steve Padilla
The struggle over data center development is intensifying across California and the broader U.S., marked by new strategies from organizers challenging tech companies and developers. A notable instance is Monterey Park, California, where a June vote will determine if the city bans all data center construction, reflecting a trend of similar referendums nationwide.
Conversely, a project in California's Imperial Valley is proceeding despite community opposition. The discourse involves figures such as Sebastian Rucci, CEO of Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC, who asserts the importance of these facilities for job creation and AI infrastructure, and State Senator Steve Padilla, who advocates for increased regulatory oversight. Molly Taft, a senior climate reporter for WIRED, and Kori Suzuki, a reporter for KPBS Public Media, were also mentioned as participants in the discussion, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the debate.