Brawley City Council to consider data center moratorium amid earthquake swarm
The Brawley City Council in California is preparing to vote on a local emergency declaration following an intense earthquake swarm. Concurrently, the council will debate a proposed yearlong moratorium on large-scale data center developments to allow time for infrastructure studies and the drafting of environmental review standards.
The Brawley City Council is set to address two critical issues at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, May 19: a local emergency declaration prompted by an ongoing earthquake swarm and a proposed yearlong moratorium on large-scale data center developments.
City Manager Rebecca Terrazas-Baxter initiated a local emergency on May 13 due to a series of intense tremors that began on May 9. City Attorney William Smerdon emphasized the risk of unseen damage to underground infrastructure from the unpredictable swarm. Ratifying this declaration will enable Brawley to seek state and federal disaster relief.
Simultaneously, Councilman Gil Rebollar has proposed a 12-month temporary freeze on data center construction, accompanied by changes to the Brawley Municipal Code. The Imperial Valley, with its geothermal power and water access, has attracted tech developers, but local officials are concerned about infrastructure strain. The moratorium aims to provide city planners time to conduct technical studies, draft environmental review standards, and establish public benefit agreements, ensuring future data center projects deliver measurable value to Brawley residents through funding public safety, youth programs, or workforce training.