Ridgecrest, Inyokern Residents Express Concerns Over Proposed Data Center in Kern County

Residents of Inyokern and Ridgecrest, California, are actively opposing a proposed AI-driven data center project, the "RB Inyokern Data Center," planned for an unincorporated area of Kern County, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 395 and State Route 178. During a public comment period at a Ridgecrest City Council meeting, and through letters to the California Energy Commission (CEC), dozens of residents highlighted critical concerns. Sarah Halsey, a Ridgecrest resident, argued the project is "fundamentally misaligned" with the area's sustainability and environmental realities, particularly given the high desert ecosystem's existing limitations. Jennifer Slayton and Kristin Hall emphasized severe water scarcity, pointing out that the Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin is "critically over drafted" and cannot support the data center's estimated consumption of at least 50 acre-feet per year, or roughly 500,000 gallons per day, which would significantly strain the sole water source for 38,000 residents and the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Additionally, residents like Robert Steele raised worries about the data center's 40 diesel-fired generators providing up to 99 megawatts of energy, potential noise and light pollution, and increased ambient temperatures in an already hot climate. The facility would occupy about 50 acres of industrially-zoned land and requires a small power plant exemption, currently under review by the CEC. Developers, R&L Capital, Inc., anticipate creating 1,600 construction jobs and generating over $6 million in annual tax revenue, asserting a $250 million total economic impact. Ridgecrest City Council member Kyle Blades acknowledged the need for further research, and the council has scheduled the topic for a future agenda in early June, indicating ongoing public and governmental scrutiny of the project.