Possible sites for data centers in Modesto include former FMC plant location

NorthPoint Development, a national developer, has initiated contact with Modesto officials regarding the potential construction of a data center at the former FMC plant site at 1200 Graphics Drive. Although no formal applications have been submitted, the company established NP Modesto Industrial LLC in 2021 and received Planning Commission approval that year to combine parcels at the location, with extensions granted until June 2027.

Modesto Councilman Chris Ricci has expressed significant concerns about the project's potential impact, specifically highlighting the high water usage for cooling operations and substantial energy consumption, which he fears could lead to increased electricity rates for residents. City spokesperson Sonya Severo confirmed that the city is currently only receiving inquiries and is undertaking a comprehensive review of the potential community impacts associated with data center developments.

Bianca Lopez, co-founder of the environmental justice group Valley Improvement Projects, voiced apprehension about the developer's engagement with council members, advocating for greater transparency regarding the proposed data center's size and resource demands. The group is also conducting a Barium Program to assess the effectiveness of the cleanup at the former FMC plant site, which has a history of heavy metal contamination. The article notes a broader national trend of opposition to data centers due to their resource intensity, referencing a six-month moratorium enacted in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, following widespread community opposition to a NorthPoint project there.