Fresno City Councilmember Discusses Data Center Ban
The Fresno City Council, with mayoral support, unanimously enacted a ban on data centers in Fresno due to concerns over water supply protection for families and farms. Council Member Mike Karbassi highlighted the need to prioritize clean water for residents before diverting it to data centers.
Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi reported on the city's recent decision to unanimously ban data centers. This move, supported by the mayor, was primarily driven by concerns over protecting water supplies for Fresno's families and farms. Karbassi emphasized that until communities like Kerman and San Joaquin receive clean water, resources should not be diverted to data centers. He expressed hope that this ban would extend to Fresno County as well.
Karbassi also briefly touched on Proposition 45, a state proposition related to environmental review of projects, which he expects to pass. He noted that the proposition, backed by significant funding from the Building Industry Association, aims to streamline project approvals, referencing a lawsuit that delayed a Costco project in Northwest Fresno. Additionally, Karbassi addressed the recent fatal plane crash at Sierra Sky Park, stating that the NTSB investigation will take approximately a year to determine the cause. He called for community support for the surviving members of the Eady family, thanking emergency services for their quick response.