Monterey Park data center

Developer HMC StratCap has officially withdrawn its proposal to construct a data center in Monterey Park, California, following several months of intense community pushback. The parent company, DigiCo Infrastructure REIT, stated that HMC StratCap aims to support "productive land uses" that are backed by the community. Residents and advocacy groups like No Data Center MPK and San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action had voiced significant concerns about the project's potential environmental impact, including pollution, high energy consumption, and health risks, participating in rallies and flooding City Council meetings. This decision marks a significant victory for local organizing efforts against data center development in the region, particularly as it precedes a June 2 special election for Measure NDC, a ballot initiative that, if approved, would ban data centers in Monterey Park by public vote. The developer, who had previously threatened legal action against the city over data center restrictions, has now committed not to contest the proposition. In response to the public outcry, the Monterey Park City Council had previously enacted a temporary moratorium on new data center developments and is considering a separate ordinance for a permanent ban. While celebrating the withdrawal of the application, organizers plan to continue their advocacy for Measure NDC and the proposed ordinance. They have also extended their efforts to oppose a battery energy storage system in the City of Industry, which they suspect could facilitate future data center development.