Public outcry erupts over data center in supervisors chambers

Imperial Valley residents demonstrated strong opposition to a proposed data center at a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on March 26. Hundreds of protesters packed the board room and overflow areas, with others outside chanting "Fuera, fuera!" (Out, out!) during a presentation by developer Sebastian Rucci. Rucci, representing Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, outlined project modifications, including an 85% reduction in generators (from 132 to 20) and a 20-foot noise berm, and presented a health risk assessment concluding no health risks from generator testing. He also defended the project's water usage of 750,000 gallons daily as comparable to a dense apartment complex. Community members voiced concerns about the data center's proximity to homes, its large scale, and the potential strain on local resources, with some accusing supervisors of "selling out their constituents." Union representatives from LiUNA Local 1184, Nick Gumbleton and Jose Garcia, spoke in favor of the project, highlighting its potential to create high-quality construction jobs in an area with high unemployment. Chair Peggy Price stated that the Board of Supervisors must remain impartial due to the project being an active application for future consideration. An opposition group, NIMBY Imperial, lauded residents for their "impromptu civil disobedience" in remaining outside the building to protest.