Pittsburg coalition demands City honor written promise on data center agenda item
The Stop Pittsburg Data Center coalition alleges the City of Pittsburg broke a promise for public participation on a data center project, scheduling a webinar instead of a public City Council meeting. The group raises concerns about BAAQMD air permits for 37 diesel generators, a high cancer risk identified by the developer, and the Mayor's financial conflict of interest with PG&E related to the project. Over 23,000 people have signed a petition opposing the development.
The Stop Pittsburg Data Center coalition has issued a statement accusing the City of Pittsburg of breaking a written promise to hold a public City Council meeting with resident participation and Council direction regarding a data center project. Instead, the City scheduled a staff-run Zoom webinar with limited public interaction, prompting the coalition to demand the City honor its commitment.
The coalition has raised significant concerns about the project, particularly regarding Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) air permits for 37 diesel generators planned near a middle school and sports courts. They highlighted that Mayor Adams, who sits on the BAAQMD Board, has a legally disqualifying financial interest in the Pittsburg Power Company-PG&E agreement crucial to the project, as found by the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The FPPC ordered her recusal 15 months after the Council's unanimous approval. Additionally, the developer's own modeling submitted to the California Energy Commission showed a cancer risk of up to 17 in a million, exceeding BAAQMD's 10-in-a-million threshold, prompting demands for public explanation.
Residents also claim they were never given a genuine choice about the land use. The City signed an exclusive negotiating agreement with Energy Delivery Solutions LLC for a technology park including data centers in 2017, months before announcing the golf course closure for economic opportunity or soliciting public input. The coalition attributes the City's alleged inability to negotiate better terms to its projected low General Fund balance.
The coalition, representing over 23,000 petition signatories, is demanding immediate public participation and transparency before any further permits are issued or agreements signed, emphasizing that many neighbors lack the means to attend daytime meetings or access online information.