Opinion: San Diego author urges voters to reject Prop. 45 over data center and environmental review concerns
A Times of San Diego opinion article urges California voters to reject Proposition 45, arguing it would weaken CEQA environmental review for data centers and other large industrial projects. The author says reduced oversight could leave communities bearing impacts related to water use, electricity rates, pollution and project siting.
The opinion piece argues that Proposition 45 would substantially weaken California's environmental review law, allowing data centers, industrial warehouses and other major projects to move through approval with less public scrutiny. It contends that data center developers and other industrial interests support the measure because it could reduce project delays and oversight, while shifting environmental and financial costs to communities and taxpayers.
The author highlights concerns about water, electricity rates, air quality and land-use impacts, citing broader federal efforts to limit public access to information about proposed AI data centers. The article urges San Diego voters to oppose Proposition 45 and says the California Legislature, rather than the ballot process, should handle complex changes to environmental regulations.