Coachella City Council Voted to Permanently Ban Data Centers Citywide
The Coachella City Council unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance that permanently bans data centers citywide, making it the first city in the Coachella Valley to do so. This decision follows months of public scrutiny and concerns regarding water and energy use, and the cancellation of an agreement with Stronghold Power Systems Inc. for a large-scale data center project.
The Coachella City Council has unanimously voted to enact a permanent ban on data centers within city limits, an ordinance set to take effect in 30 days. This makes Coachella the first city in the Coachella Valley to implement such a prohibition, though "accessory server rooms" for local businesses are exempt.
The decision comes after significant public scrutiny and community opposition over several months, specifically in response to the council's earlier approval of an agreement with Stronghold Power Systems Inc. to develop the "Coachella Valley Technology Campus." This proposed project, planned for over 240 acres of agricultural land, included at least three data center buildings and related infrastructure.
However, due to public concerns about the potential negative impacts, including high water and energy consumption and alleged public health problems, the council adopted a 45-day moratorium on June 4 and subsequently canceled its agreement with Stronghold Power Systems Inc.
Other nearby cities such as Indio, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs have also taken steps to temporarily halt data center developments, reflecting a broader regional concern over these facilities.