Imperial County Supervisors Enact Data Center Moratorium; Developer Files Lawsuit
Imperial County Supervisors approved a large data center project, but later enacted a 45-day moratorium due to significant public opposition over environmental and economic concerns. The developer, Sebastian Rucci, is suing the county over the moratorium, while the City of Imperial has also filed a lawsuit challenging the project's environmental review. State Senator Steve Padilla has introduced several bills to regulate data center development statewide, addressing energy use, environmental protections, and oversight.
Imperial County Supervisors initially approved a plan to combine tracts of land for the nearly one-million-square-foot Imperial Data Center, intended to be the largest in California and operated by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC for AI and machine learning operations.
However, the board reversed its decision and enacted a 45-day moratorium on data center development, also forming a public commission to advise on future zoning policy. This came after months of intense public backlash and criticism from residents and local leaders regarding the project's swift approval and potential impacts on air quality, water, energy, and traffic in the rural community.
Developer Sebastian Rucci announced plans to file a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against the moratorium, arguing the county failed to demonstrate an emergency or specific concerns. Separately, the City of Imperial filed a lawsuit challenging the project's environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), citing concerns about its proximity to homes and impacts on the already polluted region. Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC also sued Imperial Irrigation District, seeking 260 million gallons of Colorado River water annually.
State Senator Steve Padilla has been a vocal critic and introduced a series of bills to regulate data center construction across California, including stricter oversight for air quality in Imperial County, requirements for data centers to pay energy costs upfront, and mandating zero-carbon energy production, recycled water use, and full environmental reviews under CEQA. These bills have passed the state Senate and are awaiting votes in the Assembly, reflecting broader state-wide concerns about data center development.