In a first for the country, voters in Southern California city ban data centers
Voters in Monterey Park, California, overwhelmingly approved Measure NDC, banning data centers in the city and becoming the first U.S. city to do so by public vote. This vote reinforces a previous city council ordinance that banned data centers after a proposed facility by HMC StratCap met strong public opposition, leading to the developer withdrawing the plan. Residents cited concerns over high electricity usage, noise, air pollution, and increased utility rates.
Residents of Monterey Park, California, made history by voting overwhelmingly to ban data centers through Measure NDC, a public ballot initiative. This makes Monterey Park the first city in the U.S. to implement such a ban by direct public vote, with 86% in favor according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The measure provides a permanent prohibition, which can only be overturned by another ballot measure, securing long-lasting protections from future city councils.
The city's council had previously banned data centers by ordinance after a proposed 247,000-square-foot facility, planned by investment firm HMC StratCap, faced widespread public anger and concern. The developer subsequently withdrew their plan. Residents expressed fears that the facility, located less than 500 feet from homes, would consume three times the electricity of the entire 60,000-person city, generate noise and air pollution, and drive up utility rates.
Amy Wong, co-founder of San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, lauded the vote as a testament to