Caltech Professor Discusses City Strategies for Data Center Impacts
A Caltech professor's research suggests that cities facing data center proposals can negotiate deals with developers to mitigate environmental and economic impacts. This approach comes amid a regional trend in Southern California, where cities like Monterey Park and El Segundo have seen strong opposition or bans against data center projects due to concerns over water, electricity, and air pollution.
Adam Wierman, a Caltech professor, has conducted extensive research on data centers, initially focusing on efficiency for cloud computing and more recently on the impacts of hyperscale data centers needed for artificial intelligence. His findings suggest a middle ground for cities, proposing that municipalities negotiate with developers to cover the costs of infrastructure like reservoirs and power plants to offset environmental and economic downsides.
Wierman's research highlights concerns about air pollution from diesel generators, noise, and immense water and electrical power demands that strain local resources and increase utility bills. These issues have become acute in Southern California, where several cities are grappling with data center proposals. Monterey Park voters recently banned data centers outright, and a developer in El Segundo withdrew a project after community backlash.
In Chino, a planning board rejected a battery energy storage system seen as a precursor to data centers. Alhambra's City Council, following Monterey Park's lead, voted to place a ballot measure on a future ballot to ban data centers. El Monte also passed a temporary moratorium. A large data center project in Imperial is facing litigation due to environmental concerns, particularly regarding water usage. Opposition efforts, often fueled by concerns about water consumption, air quality, and rising utility costs, are active across these communities.