County votes on 45 day data center moratorium

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors, during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 16, unanimously adopted an urgency interim ordinance imposing a temporary 45-day moratorium on the approval of data centers within unincorporated areas of Imperial County. Concurrently, the Board established a 19-member data center advisory committee.

According to County Executive Officer Dr. Kathleen Lang, the committee will assist the Board of Supervisors in evaluating potential land use, zoning, and policy options related to data center development. The ordinance asserted an "immediate threat to public health, safety and welfare" if new data center facilities were approved without further review, aiming to allow the county to study revisions to its zoning codes and policies for effective regulation.

District 1 Supervisor Jesus Escobar stated the ordinance, though imperfect, was a "step in the right direction" to "appease the majority of our community in the most ethical and respectful manner," referencing data center opponents. During the public comment session, Sierra Club chapter director Mark West supported the moratorium for providing an opportunity for analysis and discussion, while engineer Tom DuBose opposed the temporary pause, advocating for economic development representation on the advisory committee.

County counsel Geoffrey Holbrook clarified that the initial moratorium would expire in 45 days. Should the Board wish to continue it, a public hearing would be required at the end of July to consider extending it for an additional 10 months and 15 days, for a total of one year. The advisory committee is expected to report its recommendations to the Board by January 1, 2027.