San Diego representatives to introduce legislation stopping proposed NAVWAR data center
San Diego congressional representatives plan to introduce federal legislation requiring local approval and consultation for a proposed 400-megawatt AI data center at the federally owned NAVWAR site. The proposal faces opposition from city leaders and community members, while the city has enacted a 45-day data center moratorium and the Navy conducts an environmental review.
San Diego representatives Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas announced plans to introduce federal legislation requiring local government approval and consultation before a proposed 400-megawatt artificial intelligence data center could be developed at the 70-acre NAVWAR site near Old Town. The lawmakers said San Diego residents and officials should have a role in determining the future of the federally owned property, with Peters advocating housing as a potential use.
The project has drawn opposition from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, the City Council and community members. The council passed a 45-day moratorium on data centers, while the Navy conducts an environmental review of the proposed development. Manchester Financial Group CEO Ted Eldredge said the company is still exploring other potential uses, including retail, a university and a life sciences facility, and that no energy-provider negotiations or agreements for a data center are currently in place.