Calaveras supervisors seek data center pause. 'This does not fit our landscape’
Calaveras County supervisors unanimously voted to research a data center moratorium, citing concerns about electricity and water usage and the industry's fit with the county's landscape. Simultaneously, Modesto City Council discussed a potential moratorium or ban for several hours due to resident opposition, though no vote was taken.
Calaveras County supervisors unanimously voted 5-0 to research a data center moratorium, a move first reported by mymotherlode.com. Board chairman Benjamin Stopper stated, "This does not fit our landscape," despite generally being pro-growth.
The discussion highlighted concerns about data centers' high electricity and water consumption, their limited local job creation, and the need for thorough environmental reviews under state law. Calaveras Planning Director Brett Sampson expressed apprehension about data centers being placed on inappropriate sites within the county, which is largely conifer forest with some ranching and wineries.
On the same day, the Modesto City Council held a three-hour public comment session regarding a potential data center moratorium or outright ban. Dozens of residents voiced opposition, citing fears that data centers could deplete water resources vital for the region's agricultural sector and increase power costs for urban residents. Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen indicated that large data centers would necessitate changes to the Municipal Code, and while no vote was taken, the council suggested the matter could be addressed soon. Neither Calaveras nor neighboring Tuolumne County has reported any current data center applications, while Modesto already hosts two small data centers downtown.