With ‘overwhelming’ support, Monterey Park on cusp of California’s first data center ban
A ballot measure to ban data centers citywide in Monterey Park, California, showed overwhelming support in early voting returns, potentially making it the state's first such prohibition. The measure gained traction due to significant community opposition to a proposed data center project from HMC StratCap, which subsequently withdrew its application. This outcome reflects strong local sentiment against resource-intensive data centers.
In a significant development for land use and technology infrastructure, a ballot measure aimed at prohibiting data centers citywide in Monterey Park, California, has garnered overwhelming support in early voting results. As of Tuesday night's returns, Measure NDC had 86.8% of the vote, putting the city on the cusp of enacting California's first municipal data center ban.
Monterey Park Councilmember Thomas Wong highlighted the community's clear message against what he termed "controversial resource guzzlers," expressing pride in the public's engagement. State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez echoed this sentiment, framing the "landslide victory" as a testament to a "people powered campaign" to counter the rapid expansion of data centers, which she criticized for increasing electricity rates and environmental pollution.
The ballot measure, approved by the Monterey Park City Council in March, was a direct response to a proposed 1977 Saturn Drive data center project by developer HMC StratCap. Strong community backlash, including a letter from over 20 environmental protection groups like Food & Water Watch, cited concerns over energy consumption, fossil fuel pollution, strained water resources, and rising electricity prices. Faced with this opposition, HMC StratCap ultimately withdrew its project application.
Food & Water Watch data indicates a 95% increase in California data center electricity consumption and 13 billion gallons of water used between 2019 and 2023. If the measure passes, Monterey Park will serve as a precedent for other communities in California considering similar prohibitions on data center development.