Backlash over data centers hits California, midterms
Residents in Hanford, California, are actively opposing a proposed data center project by Global Stack USA at the Kings County fairgrounds due to concerns about air pollution, water strain, and utility costs. This local backlash is indicative of a broader national trend impacting midterm elections and prompting legislative action, with California lawmakers recently passing regulations for the industry.
Residents in Hanford, California, are voicing strong opposition to a proposed small-scale data center project by developer Global Stack USA, planned for the Kings County fairgrounds. Locals, including Darian Orduno and Lucy Gomez, expressed anxieties regarding potential air pollution, water consumption, and noise, linking these environmental concerns to their voting decisions in the upcoming midterm elections. Hanford Mayor Mark Kairis acknowledged the emotionally charged nature of the issue.
Global Stack USA aims to install edge computing data centers at fairgrounds across California to enhance emergency infrastructure, asserting their facilities will have lower utility demands and no need for municipal water. Despite no formal proposals, the concept has already generated significant public resistance in Kings, Tulare, and Ventura counties.
The widespread public outcry against data centers has emerged as a bipartisan political issue nationwide, influencing elections in states like California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Nevada, and Virginia. In response, California lawmakers have recently enacted legislation to regulate the data center industry's energy usage and impose additional requirements. Randy Villegas, a Democratic nominee in California's 22nd District congressional race, has advocated for a one-year moratorium on data center construction to enable the passage of new regulations, while incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao emphasized the necessity of a responsible development approach that incorporates local feedback.