Woman removed from Tulare County meeting as data center debate erupts
During a heated Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, a woman was removed amidst a debate over data centers. The board subsequently voted 5-0 to extend a temporary moratorium on new data center projects for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Community members expressed concerns about water and energy use, advocating for a permanent ban.
A contentious Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting saw a woman escorted out amidst a heated debate regarding data center developments. The supervisors ultimately voted unanimously, 5-0, to extend the county's initial 45-day moratorium on new data center projects in unincorporated areas for an additional 10 months and 15 days.
The debate was sparked by a proposed data center at the Tulare County Fairgrounds, leading to broader discussions about future regulations for such facilities. Joe Delgado, organizing director for Power California, highlighted community desire for a permanent ban, citing concerns over significant water and energy consumption. Supervisor Larry Micari echoed water use concerns, while UC San Diego sustainability scientist Eric Masanet noted the varied resource demands of different data center sizes.
The timing of the meeting also drew criticism from opponents, who accused the county of insufficient notice. However, Supervisor Micari defended the 10-day notice, explaining the necessity of acting before the existing moratorium expired on October 2nd. Governor Gavin Newsom's office confirmed California has safeguards for data center impacts on the electrical grid and recently enacted laws for greater transparency on water, electricity, and land use impacts, while acknowledging local zoning approvals are still required for individual projects.
This extended moratorium grants Tulare County officials more time to establish comprehensive regulations for future data center developments.