Data center activity in California
California's environment reflects at least 154 enacted moratoriums against seven rejected and notably effective opposition, with at least 49 projects blocked compared with ten approved despite objections. Zoning is more forgiving, with at least 45 approvals against 17 denials, but regulatory and legal friction are elevated. At least 170 companies are active, showing continued market depth. California is more restrictive than neighboring Nevada and Arizona, where projects more often clear local hurdles.
California's environment reflects at least 154 enacted moratoriums against seven rejected and notably effective opposition, with at least 49 projects blocked compared with ten approved despite objections. Zoning is more forgiving, with at least 45 approvals against 17 denials, but regulatory and legal friction are elevated. At least 170 companies are active, showing continued market depth. California is more restrictive than neighboring Nevada and Arizona, where projects more often clear local hurdles.
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A developer is proposing a $10 billion data center project in California’s Imperial Valley that could become the state’s largest. Supporters point to potential tax revenue, jobs and participation in the AI economy, while critics worry the project could consume substantial water and electricity without significantly benefiting local residents.
A proposal would convert the largely vacant Puente Hills Mall in City of Industry into a mixed-use development including a data center. Bob Gale, co-creator of Back to the Future, said he opposes the project if it supports surveillance or requires substantial power and land.
A letter to The Press Democrat urges local leaders to impose a moratorium on new data centers until their environmental, energy and pollution impacts are studied. The article is a roundup of reader letters and does not identify a specific data center project or company.
California cities and counties are moving to slow or restrict data center development despite new state laws requiring greater transparency and environmental review. Oakland approved a 45-day moratorium, while other communities including San Francisco, Los Angeles County, Santa Clara and Alhambra are considering or advancing similar restrictions amid concerns about power use, water consumption and pollution.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order temporarily banning data centers in the city as officials develop regulations for future projects. Councilmembers also proposed requirements for data centers, while opposing a potential Manchester Financial Group project at the Navy-owned NAVWAR site over concerns about utility costs and air and water pollution.
The Tuolumne County Planning Commission gathered public input on potential rules for future data centers, at the direction of the county Board of Supervisors. More than 60 residents attended, with many calling for a ban because of concerns about water and electricity use, noise, environmental effects and the county’s rural character.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is seeking to advance a temporary moratorium on new data centers within city limits after plans emerged for a 400-megawatt facility at the former NAVWAR site in the Midway District. Activists and politicians oppose the proposal, citing concerns about its location and potential effects on affordable housing, while developer Manchester Financial Group says the preliminary plans also include a medical center, university and defense campus.
Rep. Scott Peters is promoting a federal energy and permitting bill that would require data center developers to pay for their electricity and grid connections, potentially addressing concerns about a proposed facility at the NAVWAR campus in San Diego. The project is being explored by Manchester Financial Group and has faced opposition over power costs, utility strain and other impacts. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has directed city staff to advance a temporary moratorium on new data center development, with a City Council vote pending.
Residents across Imperial County are organizing against a proposed nearly 1-million-square-foot data center near the city of Imperial, citing environmental, water, energy and quality-of-life concerns. The project has been stalled after a judge found the county improperly allowed it to proceed without a state environmental review, while Imperial County and Calexico have adopted data center restrictions.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an order proposing a temporary moratorium on data center development, prompted in part by a concept for a 400-megawatt facility at the NAVWAR redevelopment site. The measure must be approved by the San Diego City Council and would pause development for up to 180 days while the city develops data center regulations.
The Arcata City Council plans to consider extending its temporary moratorium on data center applications at an Oct. 28 meeting. Council members say potential data center demand for water and electricity could overload local utility infrastructure and want time to develop regulations before allowing such projects.
California cities and counties are proposing or adopting moratoriums and other restrictions on data center development despite new state transparency laws. Oakland and San Francisco have approved temporary pauses, while officials in Los Angeles County, Santa Clara and Alhambra are considering additional limits amid concerns about electricity use, water consumption and pollution.
The Benicia City Council voted to introduce an ordinance requiring public review, environmental analysis and conditional use permits for data center projects. The proposal would limit facilities to 20 megawatts in designated industrial districts, while Fairfield residents urged their council to consider a moratorium after a proposed 150-megawatt project appeared capable of advancing through existing rules without a public hearing.
San Diego and California officials, along with community members, are opposing Manchester Financial Group's potential 400-megawatt data center at the former NAVWAR site in Old Town. Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order pausing new data center construction in the city, but officials acknowledge the pause may not apply to the federally controlled Navy property.
The San Jose City Council unanimously rejected an appeal seeking to block a special use permit for a data center operation at 300 Holger Way in North San Jose. The facility, leased by NVIDIA from Menlo Equities, can use up to 20 megawatts of power, while opponents argued it required additional environmental review because of potential noise, air pollution and infrastructure impacts.
California voters will decide on Prop 45, which supporters and opponents say could speed data center construction by bypassing certain environmental review requirements. Environmental and community groups oppose the measure, warning that it could increase water and electricity impacts while limiting public scrutiny and potentially overriding local moratoriums.
Richmond City Council unanimously extended the city’s temporary ban on new data centers from 45 days to nearly two years. The city has no data centers or pending applications, and officials will use the moratorium to study potential impacts, including water use, electricity demand, generator emissions and noise.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order calling for a temporary moratorium on new data center development. The proposed freeze follows community opposition to a 400-megawatt facility at the NAVWAR campus and must be approved by the San Diego City Council.
California environmental and labor groups oppose Proposition 45, a November ballot measure that would accelerate environmental reviews and resolve related lawsuits more quickly. Critics, including The Climate Center and Greenbelt Alliance, warn the proposal could expedite large data centers and other potentially polluting projects while reducing community oversight.
San Diego activists and local politicians are opposing a potential 400-megawatt data center at the Navy’s NAVWAR site in the Midway District, citing impacts on affordable housing and community control. Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order freezing data center construction while city leaders seek guardrails and broader federal involvement.