Data center race officially on pause in Imperial County
Imperial County supervisors have unanimously enacted a 45-day moratorium on new and pending data center projects, citing community concerns over energy, water, and environmental impacts. This decision follows months of community opposition to specific developments and is now facing a legal challenge from one developer. An advisory committee will also be formed to recommend future zoning and building policies by 2027.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved an urgency ordinance imposing a 45-day moratorium on all pending and future data center projects. This decision comes after significant community pushback regarding the potential environmental, energy, water, and public health impacts of data center development in the region.
During a three-hour hearing, Supervisors Ryan Kelley and John Hawk, who previously supported diversifying the county's economy with tech infrastructure, expressed a need for more information and supported the pause. The moratorium, which can be extended for an additional 10 months and 15 days, aims to allow an advisory committee to develop recommendations on new zoning and building policies for data centers by January 2027.
The developer of a nearly 1 million-square-foot data center project, Sebastian Rucci from Huntington Beach, announced plans to challenge the county's decision in court. Rucci previously believed the county could not retroactively halt approved projects, though county counsel Geoffrey Holbrook stated no current applications have vested rights. Rucci expressed disappointment, stating the vote 'sends a very bad signal' and that he would address issues in court.
Environmental groups like the Sierra Club, represented by Mark West, director of the San Diego chapter, have also been vocal. The Sierra Club is already challenging Rucci's project in court and advocated for the application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to data center projects during the board meeting, urging the board to prioritize environmental considerations and public transparency.