Data center developer sues for right to use Colorado River water in thirsty California county
Sebastian Rucci, representing Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, has filed a lawsuit against the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) in Imperial County, California, after IID denied his request to use Colorado River water for a proposed $10 billion data center. This legal action follows rejections from local cities regarding recycled wastewater and comes amidst significant community opposition. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors recently enacted a 45-day moratorium on data centers due to concerns over water, energy, and environmental impact.
Sebastian Rucci, a Huntington Beach lawyer and businessman representing Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, has filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court in Imperial County. The suit, filed June 5, challenges the Imperial Irrigation District's (IID) denial of his water permit application to use Colorado River water for a proposed $10 billion data center. Rucci's legal action follows previous rejections from the cities of El Centro and Imperial regarding his bid to use recycled wastewater for cooling. The lawsuit asserts that IID violated its own rules by favoring agricultural water use over industrial, despite Rucci's contiguous fields.
The proposal has ignited significant opposition in California's Imperial Valley, a region already heavily reliant on Colorado River water for agriculture. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club's San Diego chapter led by Mark West, are demanding full environmental reviews for Rucci's project and three other planned data centers in the area, citing concerns over water consumption and potential pollution from backup diesel generators. Community members have vocally protested data center development, with a meeting in late March becoming unruly during Rucci's presentation.
In response to public outcry, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors passed a 45-day moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas of the county on June 10. While residents like Anahi Araiza of Imperial Valley Equity & Justice criticized the moratorium as insufficient, advocating for an outright ban, it highlights the intense local conflict. The lawsuit by Rucci, which names IID directors Karin Eugenio and Alex Cardenas, underscores a broader debate in the Imperial Valley about balancing agricultural dominance with new industrial development and its demands on finite resources like water and power.