Brawley targets hyperscale tech growth with proposed data center moratorium

The Brawley City Council in California is preparing to vote on a proposed temporary moratorium on the construction of large-scale data centers. The ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Gil Rebollar, seeks to pause development approvals for hyperscale tech campuses, which typically demand over 50 megawatts of electricity or exceed 250,000 square feet. This measure aims to give city officials adequate time to develop more comprehensive zoning, environmental, and infrastructure regulations tailored to the unique demands of these facilities.

City Attorney William S. Smerdon is slated to present the ordinance, which highlights the inadequacy of current zoning laws to manage such expansive developments and their associated infrastructure, including backup generators and large cooling systems. The Imperial Valley region has attracted data center developers due to available land and access to the Imperial Irrigation District's power grid. However, officials are concerned about the substantial water consumption for cooling and the significant strain these facilities place on local electrical grids.

During the proposed moratorium period, Brawley staff will focus on classifying data centers as a distinct land use, evaluating whether they should require discretionary public review, and assessing public safety impacts. The council also intends to explore policies for greater transparency, particularly regarding non-disclosure agreements common in tech development, and to potentially mandate "Public Benefit Agreements" where developers contribute directly to community assets. While the moratorium could temporarily delay development revenue, no specific projects are currently reported to be financially affected.