Monterey Park, California, Permanently Bans New Data Centers
Monterey Park, California, has become the first U.S. city to permanently ban data centers after residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of the measure. This decision followed months of public backlash and local protests against a planned data center, leading the developer to withdraw its plans. Other California localities, such as Imperial County and San Jose, are also considering or drafting new regulations for data centers due to concerns over energy use and environmental impact.
Monterey Park, a city in Los Angeles County, California, has made national headlines by becoming the first U.S. city to enact a permanent ban on data centers. The decision came after a public vote where residents overwhelmingly supported the ban, following months of local protests and significant public backlash against a proposed data center within the city.
The city council had previously voted in March to place the ban before voters and to extend an existing moratorium on data centers. Shortly after, the developer for the controversial project withdrew its plans. This move reflects a growing national skepticism towards data centers, with a recent Gallup poll indicating that seven out of 10 Americans oppose these energy-intensive facilities.
The trend of restricting data center development is not isolated to Monterey Park. Other California localities are also exploring or implementing similar measures. Imperial County's Board of Supervisors is considering a temporary moratorium on data center projects due to resident criticism, while San Jose council members recently voted to draft new guidelines for data centers, despite the city already housing a large number of such facilities and having a partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric Company aimed at facilitating their development.
The Data Center Coalition has expressed concern over Monterey Park's ban, stating it sends a signal that the area is 'closed for business.' However, local officials and residents across California are increasingly focused on regulating data centers due to their substantial energy consumption and potential environmental impacts, as they form the backbone of the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry.