San Jose discusses possible new data centers regulations amid several proposals
San Jose is developing new rules for data centers as 11 applications remain under review across the city. Residents in the Alviso neighborhood, including community advocate Marcos Espinosa, are concerned about noise, emissions, water use and the impact of a Microsoft data center under construction nearby.
San Jose officials are holding a public meeting as they work on regulations for new data centers. The city has 11 applications under review, while a Microsoft data center is under construction about a mile from Alviso resident Marcos Espinosa’s home. Espinosa, who leads the nonprofit Alviso in Action, says rapid development has changed the neighborhood and raises concerns about noise and air pollution.
Deputy City Manager Manuel Pineda said proposed standards would require data centers to use recycled water or low-water cooling technology, deploy Tier 4 generators and install sound barriers. The city also plans to establish noise monitoring and annual compliance reporting. The San Jose City Council is expected to vote on the final rules in December, with the guidelines applying to future data centers currently under review.