Pittsburg joins Bay Area cities pausing data center approvals
The Pittsburg City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on accepting, processing or approving new data center applications and permits while the city considers permanent regulations. The pause excludes the first phase of AVAIO Digital's already-approved Project Perseus, which has drawn opposition over environmental impacts, electricity demand, water use and noise.
Pittsburg’s City Council approved an urgency ordinance imposing a 45-day citywide moratorium on new data center applications and permits. The pause covers future phases of the Pittsburg Technology Park and new proposals, but excludes the first phase of Project Perseus at the former Delta View Golf Course because its entitlements have already been approved. The city can extend the moratorium twice for up to two years while it studies permanent data center standards and upcoming state requirements.
AVAIO Digital is developing the 99-megawatt first phase, which has not yet begun construction and would include a data center, backup generators, an electrical substation and a commercial power switching yard. Residents have opposed the project, citing environmental impacts and concerns about electricity demand, water use, air quality, emissions and noise. City officials said remaining power-supply and other project contracts must still come before the council, while acknowledging that the approved entitlements allow the first phase to proceed through the existing process.