Hanford takes firm stand on data centers, demanding local review and protections
The City of Hanford, California, has declared a firm policy stance against proposed data center facilities that do not undergo meaningful local review, public participation, and environmental analysis. The city's current zoning does not allow data centers, and officials are concerned about potential bypasses of local regulations through sovereign immunity. They emphasize their commitment to protecting residents and public infrastructure from potential negative impacts.
The City of Hanford, California, has issued a strong declaration, asserting that it will oppose any proposed data center facilities in or near the community unless they are subjected to comprehensive local review, robust public participation, thorough environmental analysis, and include enforceable protections for residents and public infrastructure. City officials highlighted several potential adverse effects associated with data centers, including substantial consumption of electricity and water, air emissions, noise pollution, fire and hazardous material risks, increased traffic, and heightened demands on emergency services.
City Manager Chris Tavarez emphasized that Hanford residents are entitled to a significant voice in decisions that could impact their neighborhoods and quality of life for decades. He stated that all data center projects must be evaluated transparently, considering their full range of benefits, costs, risks, and long-term consequences. The city's current General Plan and Zoning Ordinance explicitly prohibit data centers, and no amendments to this restriction are presently under consideration.
Furthermore, Hanford officials expressed concern about the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which could allow data centers developed or operated by other public agencies to bypass local land use, building, environmental, and public review processes that would normally apply to projects on private land. The city contends that public land ownership should not exempt a project from scrutiny regarding its community impacts, and even exempt facilities should undergo transparent review, impact evaluation, community consultation, and adopt mitigation measures. Officials clarified that this statement is a general policy position, and no specific data center project or regulatory amendment has been presented to the Hanford City Council for action, although the Community Development department plans to discuss land use regulations and city authority concerning data centers at a meeting on August 18, 2026.