California’s Prop 45 aims to speed construction projects. Opponents say data centers will benefit
California Proposition 45 would accelerate environmental review for certain essential projects, but opponents warn its broad language could benefit data centers and weaken protections under CEQA. The debate is tied to the proposed Imperial Valley Data Center Campus in Imperial County, where residents and local groups challenged the project, prompting a moratorium that was later rescinded after litigation.
Proposition 45, a California ballot initiative, would change the California Environmental Quality Act to speed environmental review for projects including housing, transportation, water and broadband-related infrastructure. Supporters say data centers were excluded, while opponents and several legal experts argue the measure’s broad definition of broadband projects could allow some data centers to receive expedited treatment. Courts could ultimately decide how the language applies.
The dispute has direct implications for the proposed Imperial Valley Data Center Campus in Imperial County. County officials granted the project an environmental-review exemption after determining the site was already zoned for data centers, but residents organized protests and a petition, and the City of Imperial and Sierra Club sued. The county imposed a data center moratorium, later rescinding it following a court order, while developer Sebastian Rucci said Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing would continue pursuing the project without undergoing CEQA review.