Santa Ana Officials to Debate Data Center Ban
Santa Ana city officials are set to debate a proposed ban on new data centers as part of an overhaul to the city's zoning code. Councilwoman Jessie Lopez's attempt to implement a temporary 45-day ban was rejected by her colleagues who argued the issue would be addressed in the broader zoning update. Concerns regarding data centers' impact on utility costs, the electrical grid, and water supplies are driving the discussion ahead of the November election.
Santa Ana City Council members are scheduled to debate a suggested ban on new data centers next month as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning code. This comes ahead of the November election amidst growing concerns about data centers' impact on utility costs, electrical infrastructure, and local water supplies.
An effort by Councilwoman Jessie Lopez to enact a temporary 45-day ban on new data centers in Santa Ana failed to gain support. Councilman Phil Bacerra, who is up for reelection, deemed the temporary moratorium unnecessary, citing the impending zoning code revamp. Despite the rejection of the temporary ban, a majority of planning commissioners recently voted to approve a comprehensive update to Santa Ana’s zoning code and directed city staff to include an explicit ban of new data centers before it reaches the city council for final approval.
Lopez, who is running for State Assembly, highlighted that data centers consume large amounts of water for cooling, strain electrical infrastructure, and create fewer permanent jobs relative to resources used. The city currently has three relatively small data centers, with no new applications. Labor union leaders and members, however, advocated for regulation over an outright ban, arguing for the potential benefits of responsibly built facilities. Councilman David Penaloza supports a ban, while Councilwoman Thai Viet Phan opposed the temporary moratorium, emphasizing the need for a clear definition of data centers and understanding their local impact.