Imperial County Supervisor Peggy Price served with Notice of Intent to Recall

Imperial County Board of Supervisors District 3 Supervisor Peggy Price was formally served with a Notice of Intent to Recall on April 21, during a public board meeting in El Centro. Resident Belen de Fajardo delivered the notice, citing Price's vote to approve a lot merger for a proposed large data center project in the county. Opponents argue the lot merger was approved without sufficient environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and despite significant community opposition. Concerns include potential impacts on water supplies, air quality, noise, and power infrastructure, as well as the project's proximity to homes and schools. The "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY) Imperial group is prominent in the opposition, which saw heated public comments and arrests at an earlier April 7 meeting. Opponents are also gathering signatures for the "Imperial County Data Center Prohibition Act," a potential ballot measure to restrict such developments on unincorporated county land. Supervisor Price, who serves as Chairwoman of the Board, has defended the board's actions, stating that the vote was limited to the lot merger under existing zoning and legal requirements and did not constitute full project approval. She emphasized that the board is listening to all sides and upholding its responsibilities, describing the controversy as challenging. Price was elected in 2024 and her term runs until 2028. Recall organizers must adhere to California's recall procedures, including gathering a sufficient number of valid signatures from District 3 voters. Local groups from the city of Imperial are continuing to organize support for the recall, which underscores the deep divisions within Imperial County over economic development, environmental concerns, and public participation in land-use decisions. Updates are anticipated as the recall process and data center proposal advance.