Data Center Town Hall Follows Moratorium Plea

Coachella residents Vicente Zamora and Jesus Ahkin Gonzalez launched a petition on Change.org calling for a moratorium on data center development in the city, citing severe environmental and health concerns. The petition argues that Coachella is already one of California's most polluted regions, facing extreme heat, poor air quality, and high rates of respiratory illness due to the Salton Sea's toxic dust, as well as chromium 6 contamination in its drinking water. In response to the petition, which garnered 689 signatures, the Coachella City Council announced a community town hall. The meeting aims to inform residents about the proposed 240-acre data center technology campus and the city's efforts to establish its own energy utility, while also addressing related long-term planning for eastern development areas. City officials clarified that the project has not been approved and will require a comprehensive environmental impact report before any decisions are made. The town hall, facilitated by CV Strategies, will allow residents to ask questions directly to city representatives and the developer team. It is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley.