Pittsburg residents protest data center at city council meeting
Residents in Pittsburg, California, are protesting a new data center project by AVIO Digital, despite the city council having unanimously approved the development. Concerns primarily revolve around the large consumption of electricity and water. A petition against the project has gathered over 13,000 signatures.
Residents of Pittsburg, California, are actively protesting a proposed data center project, despite its unanimous approval by the city council. The project, known as the Perseus Data Center, is being developed by AVAIO Digital on the 76-acre site of the former Delta View Golf Course, which closed in 2018.
City Manager Daron Gayle confirmed that the city sold the property to AVAIO Digital, a hyperscale data center developer. The City Council approved the development in November 2024 (likely a typo in the transcript for 2023 or an earlier year, given the project is approved and ready for construction), securing all entitlements needed for construction to begin at any time. The city views the project as a means to support advanced technology infrastructure and create long-term economic development.
Community members like Alejandra expressed strong concerns at a city council meeting, citing worries about the significant electricity and water consumption associated with data centers. The City of Pittsburg stated that the development would be powered by the Pittsburg Power Company, not PG&E, and is entirely funded by AVAIO Digital. Despite community outreach efforts by the city, many residents are only now learning about the project and its potential impacts. An online petition to halt the project on Change.org has garnered over 13,000 signatures.