Riverbank sees a flurry of interest from data center developers. A project emerges
Riverbank is attracting significant interest from data center developers, with Aemetis planning a 60-megawatt facility at a former ammo plant. The city is actively reviewing zoning requirements and potential environmental impacts, including concerns about water and electricity use, amid public backlash against data centers in the region.
Riverbank, California, is experiencing a surge in interest from data center developers, particularly around the former Army ammunition plant on Claribel Road. Renewable-fuels company Aemetis is reportedly planning a 60-megawatt data center at the site, which it also leases. Andy Foster, president of advanced fuels for Aemetis, detailed that their proposed "Sustainable Computing Facility" would be a container-sized data center housed within an existing building, aiming to minimize noise and visual impact. The company plans to use a self-contained, recycled water cooling system from onsite wells and seeks power from Hetch Hetchy lines, avoiding local city utilities.
City Manager Marisela Garcia confirmed that Riverbank has engaged with five data center developers since January, although no formal applications have been submitted yet, beyond the anticipated Aemetis project. The city believes developer interest stems from access to utilities like PG&E, Modesto Irrigation District (MID), and Hetch Hetchy power, as well as available space at the Riverbank Industrial Complex.
Amidst this interest, there's growing public concern in Stanislaus County regarding data centers' high water and energy demands. Joshua Mann, Riverbank's director of community development, noted in a memo that data centers are not currently identified as a permitted use in the ammo plant's development plan or the city's municipal code. He recommended that if data centers are added as an allowed land use, it should be as a conditional permit use, requiring public review and specific conditions addressing environmental impacts like water use, power consumption, generators, noise, air emissions, and fire protection. The City Council has not yet discussed a moratorium on data centers, but the city emphasizes careful review of any potential projects.