Monterey Park, California, has banned the development of data centers.
“We had a victory landslide,” said Steven Kung, who co-founded the group “No Data Center Monterey Park.” He told ABC 7, “The noise solution, the air pollution, the rise in the electricity rates, the deal just didn’t make sense and it doesn’t make sense for most, if not all, cities data centers go to.”
The ballot measure asked residents, “Shall the ordinance amending the City of Monterey Park General Plan to prohibit data centers citywide to protect air quality, drinking water resources and public health; prevent impacts to electricity and water rates; with the prohibition of data centers continuing until ended by voters, be adopted?”
Voters overwhelmingly voted “Yes” on the measure, prohibiting data centers in the area.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) says that the state’s data centers account for about 2% of the California Independent System Operator’s (California ISO) peak electricity demand. That number is expected to rise to 9% by 2040.
“The CEC does not permit data centers but does have jurisdiction over certain energy infrastructure associated with them under its exclusive permitting authority to certify all thermal generating facilities 50 megawatts (MW) and larger in California,” the agency’s website says, adding that data centers “do not require CEC approval.”
Separately, a Gallup poll found that 7 in 10 Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their local area. Some of those surveyed cited excessive use of resources, such as water and energy, as their reason for opposition, while others cited environmental concerns.
