Coachella Data Center Ban Vote Tonight; Palm Springs Weighs Moratorium
The Coachella City Council voted to enact a permanent ban on data center development following resident opposition over energy, heat, and water concerns, and terminated an agreement with Stronghold Power Systems. Meanwhile, the Palm Springs City Council is considering a 45-day temporary moratorium on new data center applications.
The Coachella Valley is experiencing a significant debate over data center development, with two cities taking action. In Coachella, the City Council has enacted a permanent citywide ban on data center development, responding to months of resident opposition. This decision followed a previous unanimous vote in May to implement a temporary ban and terminate an agreement with Stronghold Power Systems for a proposed technology campus with six large data centers on 240 acres.
Stronghold Power Systems had estimated potential revenue losses for Coachella of up to $54 million due to the agreement's termination. Mayor Steven Hernandez indicated the city's actions align with residents' clear wishes, who raised concerns about energy and water consumption, heat, and environmental impacts in the desert region. The city had previously extended its temporary moratorium to two years while working on a permanent ordinance, which was confirmed as enacted by a social media update within the article.
Concurrently, the Palm Springs City Council is considering its own temporary moratorium, which would pause new data center applications and permits for 45 days if approved by a four-fifths vote. This proposed moratorium, set to expire on October 10, also stems from residents' concerns about water and energy demands in the desert's extreme heat, along with broader issues regarding AI infrastructure. Both cities' actions reflect regional discussions about the future impact of data center development on the Coachella Valley.