Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:01 AM EST

California Data Center Development

Coverage from Data Center Knowledge, Procopio, and others

California Data Center Development topic image

California communities and local governments weigh proposals for large data centers through decisions about zoning, siting, environmental review, and public approval.

Debates often involve expected water and electricity use, effects on utility infrastructure and rates, noise, and other local environmental or land-use concerns. In Modesto, a potential facility at the former FMC plant site drew public opposition and discussion of restrictions, while Patterson’s moratorium was cited as a regional precedent. Together, these issues show how local policy choices shape where large data centers may be built and how their potential effects are evaluated.

Key Articles5 of 149 articles

If you read one thing

It gives a broad overview of California siting restrictions, rising grid demand, and the transparency concerns driving local responses.

Marin Independent Journal / Grace Hase and Luis Melecio Zambrano

Latest development

San Francisco’s new approval pause is a high-signal recent example of jurisdictions turning impact review and community input into siting rules.

The San Francisco Standard / Omar Rashad

Best explainer

It explains how a court ruling made comprehensive environmental review a gate for a major project and connects that review to its water and power needs.

Courthouse News / Quinn Welsch

The evidence

It adds evidence on local value and accountability, including job and housing effects, community commitments, and possible cost shifts.

UCLA Newsroom

The evidence

Eureka’s proposed small-facility zoning shows how limited grid capacity can shape local siting rules.

Lost Coast Outpost / Isabella Vanderheiden
Key Issues

Local governments are tightening siting controls

California jurisdictions are using or considering moratoria, restrictive zoning, public hearings, and bans to assess impacts and establish local rules. The resulting constraints vary by place, from temporary approval pauses to permanent prohibitions, and some proposals remain pending.

Stable

Drawn from 5 articles

Resource and grid capacity constrain proposals

Electricity and water availability remain material siting constraints: local infrastructure may have limited headroom, while large facilities can require substantial power and water. Uncertainty about resource demand and potential effects on other utility customers also fuels local scrutiny.

Stable

Drawn from 5 articles

Comprehensive environmental review is a project gate

Court rulings on Imperial County’s proposed hyperscale facility require review of the integrated project and supporting infrastructure before approvals can proceed. This creates a substantial permitting hurdle, but the rulings do not permanently prohibit the project.

Stable

Drawn from 4 articles

Community accountability and local value remain contested

Residents and officials dispute whether local benefits justify resource, infrastructure, and neighborhood impacts, and whether the public can access reliable information or secure enforceable commitments. Transparency, utility costs, community benefits, and limited permanent employment are recurring points of scrutiny.

Drawn from 3 articles

Key Numbers

45 days

initial moratorium duration

immediate interim ordinance

“The interim urgency ordinance takes effect immediately for 45 days. Under California law, the council can extend the moratorium in two phases for a maximum total period of two years. During the pause, the city cannot accept, process or approve applications and entitlements for new data center facilities.”

NBC Bay Area and 1 other article

about four times

comparison with San Jose’s average peak demand

PG&E data-center demand

“The utility has approximately four gigawatts of data center demand under construction or in final approval stages, about four times San Jose’s average peak demand.”

The Mercury News and 1 other article

10 megawatts

remaining substation capacity

approximately; one Eureka substation

“PG&E has told the city that one Eureka substation is already at capacity, while another has approximately 10 megawatts of remaining capacity and a planned upgrade.”

Lost Coast Outpost

50 to 100 megawatts

power demand sought by newer data centers

“She contrasted the approximately one-megawatt EdgeConnex facility in nearby Arcata with newer facilities seeking 50 to 100 megawatts and the largest artificial-intelligence campuses, which can require hundreds or more than 1,000 megawatts.”

Lost Coast Outpost

one megawatt

power demand of the EdgeConnex facility

approximately; nearby Arcata

“She contrasted the approximately one-megawatt EdgeConnex facility in nearby Arcata with newer facilities seeking 50 to 100 megawatts and the largest artificial-intelligence campuses, which can require hundreds or more than 1,000 megawatts.”

Lost Coast Outpost

Looking Back
244 Day Timeline
Feb 5Mar 19May 14Jun 25Aug 20Oct 1
The Story So Far
Escalation

Gilroy adopts a moratorium as Bay Area cities advance pauses

Gilroy has imposed a temporary halt on new data-center development while it drafts siting standards, leaving its approved Amazon facility untouched but blocking a second proposed project. San Francisco supervisors have also approved a temporary pause, pending the mayor’s action. These steps move beyond the earlier focus on jurisdictions considering restrictions, though the pauses remain temporary and do not stop all development.

Previously

Cities and counties across California’s Central Valley are reviewing or restricting prospective data center projects, with some officials considering moratoriums, zoning changes, or bans. Residents and local leaders are weighing electricity and water needs, utility costs, noise, jobs, and public disclosure before deciding whether and how projects could proceed. The debate is primarily about proposed facilities rather than approved construction, although a separate Sacramento expansion is moving ahead.

History
10/09/2026

The story has broadened beyond the Central Valley to Bay Area cities, where officials are considering or advancing additional approval pauses and local data-center rules. The new examples highlight gaps in land-use definitions and tracking, alongside debates over municipal revenue and community impacts.

10/05/2026

The update adds concrete local policy steps: Stockton removed data centers from its economic development plan, while Riverbank and Fresno considered specific pause or prohibition periods. The broader review-and-restriction story remains unchanged.

All Articles149 articles
Important77 articles · CI Score 60 and above
Data Center Knowledge / Shane Snider
Imperial County Superior Court Judge L. Brooks Anderholt tentatively required Imperial County to complete environmental review of Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing LLC's proposed 330 MW data center near Imperial, California.
9/1/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Procopio / Patrick Ross
California officials and local governments are tightening scrutiny of data center projects through zoning reviews, moratoria and infrastructure conditions as artificial intelligence demand expands statewide.
8/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Fresno Bee / Christopher Kirkpatrick
San Joaquin Valley residents challenged proposed AI data centers at Tulare and Kings county fairgrounds in August over groundwater use and uncertain permitting authority.
8/16/2026 • Water & Cooling • General
Marketplace
Monterey Park voters in California approved an 88% ban on data centers in June after residents organized against a proposed 218,000-square-foot facility.
9/8/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
UCLA Newsroom
In 2025, UCLA professor Megan Mullin said community opposition across the United States is reshaping data center siting through local bans, impact reviews, and negotiations.
9/28/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Turlock Journal / Garth Stapley
Stanislaus County residents and local officials opposed or paused prospective data center projects in California during 2024 over concerns about utility impacts, water use, noise, land use, and limited public disclosure.
9/19/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
CalMatters
Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC advances a hyperscale data center in Imperial County, as supervisors impose a 45-day moratorium amid a lawsuit and proposed state regulatory changes.
6/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
CalMatters
Imperial County imposed a 45-day moratorium on hyperscale data centers after backlash over the Imperial Data Center, triggering CEQA, zoning, and water litigation in California.
6/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The San Francisco Standard / Omar Rashad
San Francisco supervisors approved a 45-day pause on data center approvals pending mayoral action, directing a city study of facility impacts in San Francisco.
10/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The San Francisco Standard / Omar Rashad
San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton proposed a 45-day pause on data center approvals in the city as officials consider rules for facilities including a planned Dogpatch project.
9/22/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KVCR
Perris planning commissioners recommended Wednesday that the California city prohibit large data centers amid resident opposition to Global Stack's proposed facility near Lake Perris.
9/18/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lost Coast Outpost / Dezmond Remington
Arcata City Council adopted an emergency data center permitting moratorium in Arcata, California, to evaluate potential electricity, water, and land-use impacts.
9/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Voice of OC / Hosam Elattar
Santa Ana City Council members are expected to debate a possible ban on new data centers next month in Santa Ana, California, during zoning-code revisions.
9/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lost Coast Outpost / Isabella Vanderheiden
Eureka City Council directed staff in California to draft conditional-use zoning rules for small data centers while considering restrictions on larger facilities because of power, water, environmental and land-use concerns.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KPBS / Kori Suzuki
Imperial County Superior Court Judge Brooks Anderholt halted the data center complex after the county approved its April lot merger without completing required CEQA review in Imperial, California.
9/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Courthouse News / Quinn Welsch
Imperial County Superior Court Judge Brooks Anderholt halted Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing's proposed 330-megawatt data center in El Centro, California, requiring a full CEQA environmental review.
9/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Mission Local / Marina Newman
San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton plans to introduce a citywide data-center moratorium on September 15 while officials investigate environmental impacts affecting Bayview residents.
9/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Modesto Bee / John Holland
Riverbank City Council will consider a 45-day moratorium on artificial intelligence data centers on Tuesday in Riverbank, California, amid review of Aemetis plans for a 60-megawatt facility.
9/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
SteamboatToday.com / Julia Coccaro
Hayden Town Council in Colorado is preparing to consider a data-center moratorium on Sept. 17 after residents opposed the town's Aug. 6 zoning-code change.
9/7/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KPBS / Kori Suzuki
Imperial County Superior Court Judge L. Brooks Anderholt tentatively indicated that Imperial County's approval of a proposed data center complex in Imperial, California, may be overturned for inadequate CEQA review.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Data Center Dynamics / Jason Ma
San Jose Planning Commission approved a special use permit in 2025 for a 300 Holger Way data center proposal with a 20MW capacity, and opponents filed an appeal over an environmental review exemption.
7/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Mercury News / Chase Hunter
Hayward Planning Commission approved a STACK Infrastructure hyperscale data center in May 2025, then created new rules requiring City Council hearings for projects above 50 megawatts.
7/21/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San José Spotlight / Joyce Chu
Google, during San Jose permitting review, proposes 5079 and 5087 Disk Drive R&D facilities with 250-megawatt power and cooling infrastructure while facing community concerns about data-center-like impacts.
7/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
inewsource / Philip Salata
Imperial County supervisors imposed a 45-day urgency ordinance moratorium on data center projects after community opposition and pending an ad hoc committee report.
6/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Arizona Daily Sun
Monterey Park residents approved Measure NDC in Los Angeles County on election day, passing a data center ban with about 86% support.
6/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
GovTech
Oakley officials plan ordinances for a potential permanent data center ban while extending a moratorium through April 14, 2027, after zoning and health, water, and noise concerns.
7/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
CalMatters
Monterey Park residents in Los Angeles County, California approved a permanent data center ban after months of protests and council moratorium actions.
6/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KQED
Oakland residents and organizers are urging the Oakland City Council to ban data centers after Behring Companies proposed a 20,000-square-foot downtown facility, with an Aug. 29 meeting highlighting energy, water, noise, and equity concerns.
8/30/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Guardian
Residents and organizers in Monterey Park and other US communities are challenging datacenter projects through bans, moratoriums, elections, and referendums in 2026.
9/15/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Guardian
Monterey Park, California held a ballot initiative on Tuesday to permanently ban datacenters after an HMC StratCap proposal and early results showed overwhelming support.
6/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
City of Monterey Park
Monterey Park City Council adopted a 45-day data center moratorium on January 21, 2026, and will consider extensions and zoning options in Monterey Park, California, on March 4.
2/5/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Mercury News / Ryan Macasero
San Jose officials are drafting citywide data center rules, potentially for council consideration in December, to address energy, water, air quality, and noise concerns.
9/27/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Oaklandside / Roselyn Romero
Oakland's Life Enrichment Committee unanimously advanced a proposed 45-day data center moratorium ahead of the City Council's scheduled Oct. 6 consideration.
9/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KVII
Clovis commissioners rejected a proposed 120-day data center moratorium Thursday in Clovis, New Mexico, while Mayor Mike Morris supported developing local facility policies focused partly on water supply.
9/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Oaklandside / Roselyn Romero
Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife introduced a proposed 45-day moratorium on data center approvals in Oakland, California, pending city review of infrastructure, environmental, safety, and land-use impacts.
9/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Hayward
Hayward City Council will consider a Sept. 15 referral from three council leaders to begin banning new data centers and monitoring existing facilities in Hayward, California.
9/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lost Coast Outpost / Isabella Vanderheiden
Eureka City Council approved a 45-day data center siting moratorium on inland and coastal properties to develop zoning and resource regulations.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KRCR / Veonna King
Eureka City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data centers in Eureka, California, on September 1, while staff study zoning, grid, water, noise, and environmental impacts.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Hanford
Hanford city officials announced in 2026 that the California city opposes data centers without local review and environmental safeguards, while maintaining its zoning prohibition.
8/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San José Spotlight / Keith Menconi
San Jose residents are pressing city officials to halt new data center approvals before proposed environmental and community standards reach the City Council in December.
8/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San José Spotlight / Joyce Chu
San Jose city officials began public sessions in August to develop data center standards, responding to concerns about environmental impacts, water treatment, grid capacity and a proposed 250-megawatt Google project.
8/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Planetizen / Diana Ionescu
California Resources Corporation proposed the Golden Valley Technology Hub in Kern County, California, and the project faces environmental review and carbon capture litigation.
7/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San José Spotlight
San Jose council members vote to require uniform data center standards in response to health and environmental concerns, with review scheduled for December and PG&E power support for major projects.
6/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
inewsource / Philip Salata
Imperial County supervisors debated stronger building guidelines for data center proposals on Tuesday as residents urged a CEQA-based moratorium and multiple cities considered pauses.
6/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Stocktonia / Andrea Baltodano
Stockton City Council voted unanimously in Stockton, California, to remove data centers from its economic development plan while residents and officials study infrastructure, environmental and fiscal impacts.
9/2/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KQED
San Jose City Council committee members directed city staff on Wednesday to develop community-benefit standards for data centers amid resident concerns about environmental and neighborhood impacts.
8/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Modesto Bee / Kathleen Quinn
Patterson approved a 45-day emergency moratorium on data centers after residents raised concerns about water scarcity, health risks, and electricity access during a special meeting Thursday.
7/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Palm Springs Desert Sun
A Public Policy Institute of California survey finds 73% of Californians oppose new data centers, with strong opposition in Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Los Angeles Business Journal / Hannah Welk
Monterey Park, California residents voted in early June to ban data centers after a six-month process driven by concerns about power, water, noise, and wildfire risk.
7/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR News
Imperial County, California residents organized since November to oppose an Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing data center proposal amid water and power concerns.
6/30/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR Public Media
Monterey Park, California banned data centers on the June ballot in 2020s after public opposition to HMC Stratcap plans, with Coachella adopting a temporary approval pause.
6/23/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KQED / Keith Mizuguchi
Monterey Park, California approved a voter-backed data center ban in June after January protests against an HMC Statcap AI data center proposal.
6/22/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Palm Springs Desert Sun
FM3 Research polling in California from May 17-24 found most voters oppose new data centers while supporting SB 886 and SB 887 safeguard proposals.
6/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Fox Business
Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC on a June ballot after the City Council placed the measure there on March 4, permanently limiting data centers within city limits.
6/10/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR News
Coachella City Council approved a 45-day data center development moratorium and voted to end a Stronghold-linked development agreement after resident opposition.
6/6/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Broadband Breakfast / Georgina Mackie
Monterey Park, California voters approved on June 5, 2026 a permanent citywide data-center ban, after an HMC StratCap proposal and community opposition over noise and utility costs.
6/5/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
SFGATE / Matthew Brown
Monterey Park voters approved a permanent ban on data centers on Tuesday after a moratorium and public opposition to an HMC Capital proposal at 1977 Saturn Street.
6/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Governing
Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC on election day, creating a long-term data-center ban after earlier ordinance action following a withdrawn project by HMC StratCap.
6/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Nytimes
Monterey Park voters approved a permanent ban on data centers after opposition to a proposed 247,000-square-foot facility drawing public hearings and a City Council vote.
6/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
USA Today
Monterey Park, California voters approved Measure NDC in a June 2 special election, permanently prohibiting citywide data centers after a March City Council vote.
6/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Los Angeles Times
Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC on election day, creating a ballot-based data-center ban after earlier ordinance action and developer withdrawal in March.
6/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
San Jose Inside
San Jose residents and climate groups are challenging expanding data center development in California over grid strain, water consumption, emissions, and permitting decisions.
9/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San José Spotlight / Giovanni Albanese Jr.
Gilroy City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center projects in Gilroy, California, to establish zoning, infrastructure, and operational standards.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
NBC Bay Area
San Francisco supervisors proposed a 45-day moratorium on new data center approvals Monday in San Francisco, citing water, energy, pollution, noise and zoning concerns.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Mercury News / Jason Green
Gilroy City Council on Monday approved an immediate moratorium on new data center applications in Gilroy, California, while officials develop development standards.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
NBC Bay Area / Jocelyn Moran
Gilroy City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center development in Gilroy, California, while officials develop zoning and operating standards.
9/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Fresno Bee / Melissa Montalvo
Fresno City Council voted Thursday to initiate a proposed 10-year data center ban in Fresno, California, with planning, airport, and environmental reviews expected before final adoption.
9/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Fresnoland / Gregory Weaver
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Councilmember Nick Richardson are advancing a 10-year citywide data-center ban for consideration by the Fresno City Council in Fresno, California.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Marin Independent Journal / Grace Hase and Luis Melecio Zambrano
California cities are tightening data center approvals and utility rules in 2025 as projects expand across Gilroy, San Jose, Santa Clara and other communities.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Fresno Bee / Melissa Montalvo
Fresno City Council is scheduled to vote on a 10-year data center prohibition sponsored by Nick Richardson and Jerry Dyer in Fresno, California, amid water and energy concerns.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Fresnoland / Gregory Weaver
Fresno Councilmember Nick Richardson proposed a citywide data-center ban on September 3, citing water scarcity and seeking to change development rules in Fresno, California.
8/29/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KVCR Public Media
Coachella City Council permanently banned large-scale AI data centers on Wednesday in Coachella, California, after residents and officials raised water, infrastructure, noise and pollution concerns.
8/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Fresno Bee / María G. Ortiz-Briones
Tulare County supervisors adopted a 45-day data center moratorium in unincorporated areas while officials evaluate regional effects on water, power, infrastructure, and land use.
8/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Modesto
Modesto officials said large data centers cannot proceed within city limits without zoning changes, CEQA review, and public hearings, including for a potential site at 1200 Graphics Drive.
8/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Hayward
Hayward City Council will consider on September 15 whether to begin developing a zoning-code ban on new data centers in Hayward, California.
8/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Hayward
Hayward City Council will consider a Sept. 15 legislative referral to begin banning new data center development in Hayward, California.
8/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Los Angeles Times / Justine McDaniel
Hanford residents opposed Global Stack USA's potential edge-computing data center at the Kings County fairgrounds in late August over environmental, utility and land-use concerns.
9/6/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Interesting67 articles · CI Score 45–59
The San Francisco Standard / Kevin V. Nguyen
San Jose officials and residents are debating expanded data center development as Bay Area projects increase pressure on power, water, permitting, and local public processes.
8/28/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
South Kern Sol / Crystal Navarro
California community organizations discussed opposition to proposed generative AI data centers on August 27 during an online webinar, citing power demand, water use, environmental effects, and limited transparency.
8/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Save Mount Diablo / Steven dePaschalis
Patterson City Council approved a 45-day data-center moratorium in July after residents and conservation groups raised environmental and land-use concerns near Del Puerto Creek.
8/14/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Undergraduate Admissions
Caltech convened a June 15 workshop in Monterey Park and the Greater Los Angeles area to discuss AI data center impacts, including a recent 86 percent restriction vote.
7/9/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Spectrum News California
Ventura County residents opposed Global Stack's proposed edge system at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in California ahead of a September 15 board discussion.
9/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
CBS News Sacramento
Hundreds of Modesto residents urged city leaders at a Tuesday City Hall meeting to block potential data centers through a moratorium or zoning ban.
8/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Modesto Bee
About 50 Modesto residents urged the City Council to consider a data center moratorium on August 11, 2026, over NorthPoint Development's proposed facility.
8/12/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Coachella imposed a 45-day data center moratorium after public turnout on June 4, as California advances SB 886 and SB 887 following statewide polling on June 24 committee review.
6/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Modesto Bee / Steve Pastis
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors extended its data center moratorium and adopted a separate opposition position on Sept. 22 in Tulare County, California.
9/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
myMotherLode.com
Tuolumne County supervisors in Sonora, California, debated a proposed 45-day moratorium on data center projects to address electricity, water, and permitting concerns.
9/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lost Coast Outpost / Dezmond Remington
Arcata officials described EdgeConnex's EDCACV01 as a small undersea-fiber waypoint and considered a temporary data-center moratorium during a City Council discussion.
8/20/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
Stanislaus County and Modesto officials in California are weighing data-center restrictions in August 2026 as residents raise concerns about water, farmland, and quality-of-life impacts.
8/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Mercury News / George Avalos
San Jose planners approved a Western Digital campus parcel division on Aug. 12, advancing review of a proposed data center on Charlotte Drive in South San Jose.
8/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
During a Modesto Irrigation District meeting, Janice Keating requested discussion of potential data center impacts after NorthPoint Development contacted a councilmember about a possible Graphics Drive facility in Modesto.
8/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Courthouse News / Quinn Welsch
Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing challenged Imperial County's data center moratorium in El Centro, California, while officials review land-use and water impacts through June 2027.
7/28/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
City of Desert Hot Springs
Desert Hot Springs City Council holds a public hearing on extending a moratorium on data center licensing, permitting, and entitlements in California.
7/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lodi News-Sentinel
Lodi, California city council proposed a moratorium on data center facilities after community concerns and anticipated transmission-congestion studies.
6/21/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KVCR Public Media
Perris City Council voted on June 9, 2026 to draft a citywide ordinance banning data centers after public testimony centered on water and energy impacts.
6/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Planetizen / Diana Ionescu
Monterey Park, California voters approved an indefinite ballot measure in June 2020s to ban data centers, citing air quality, drinking water, and public health risks.
6/7/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KESQ NewsChannel 3
Coachella City Council approved a 45-day data center moratorium through Urgency Ordinance No. 1229 on Thursday while planning a permanent ban after opposition to a project at Avenue 52 and Filmore Street.
6/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Reuters / Nichola Groom
San Jose residents and environmental groups are opposing proposed AI data centers over power, water, pollution, and oversight concerns in California.
9/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
CapRadio / Riley Palmer
Sacramento officials are reviewing Link Logistics' proposed large-scale data center in southeastern Sacramento as residents, advocates, and policymakers debate power, water, pollution, and ratepayer impacts.
9/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KQED
San Jose officials advanced data center development in 2026 while residents opposed projects at an August listening session over power demand, emissions, water use and limited oversight.
9/14/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Mercury News / Grace Hase and Luis Melecio-Zambrano
Bay Area cities are revising data center rules in 2025 as Amazon's Gilroy facility and expanding AI demand drive disputes over electricity, water, costs and public participation.
9/2/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR News
Coachella City Council permanently banned large-scale AI data centers on Aug. 26, 2026, after resident opposition, while Palm Springs and Adelanto pursued separate restrictions in California.
8/28/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Local News Matters / Gabe Agcaoili
San Francisco supervisors proposed a 45-day pause on new data center approvals Monday to study water, energy, pollution, and noise impacts.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
ABC30 Fresno
Fresno Councilmember Nick Richardson proposed restrictions on new data centers in Fresno, California, with Mayor Jerry Dyer supporting a future development-code ban over resource and land-use concerns.
9/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County supervisors directed county staff in California to study AI data center impacts and prepare possible land-use rules before applications are submitted.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Business Journal / John Lindt
Tulare County supervisors and Visalia council members will consider data center moratoria Tuesday in the South Valley, while Tulare city officials have declined to schedule debate over Global Stack's fairgrounds proposal.
8/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
Modesto officials said Thursday that no data center projects are under review because city zoning excludes data centers, including a possible NorthPoint Development site near Highway 99.
8/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
CalMatters / Lynn La
Public Policy Institute of California poll finds 73% of California adults oppose data center construction amid strongest concern in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KRON4 / Amanda Hari
San Francisco residents organized opposition in 2020s to a potential Nesto Park Capital artificial intelligence data center at 1215 Michigan Street as Supervisor Shamann Walton considered a 45-day city moratorium.
9/19/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR Public Media
Moreno Valley City Council held a Tuesday workshop in Moreno Valley, California, as residents opposed potential data center development and officials considered a moratorium.
9/10/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KCRA / Ron Edens
Stockton City Council removed data centers from its economic development plan after residents raised pollution and electricity concerns during a city meeting in Stockton, California.
9/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KQED
Resident groups in Monterey Park and other US communities are organizing data-center bans and moratoria in 2026 over AI-driven power, health, and land-use concerns.
8/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Data Center Dynamics / Jemima Davey
Modesto residents and council members are opposing a possible NorthPoint Development data center at a former chemical plant site in Modesto, California, amid zoning, water, and energy concerns.
8/19/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco
San Jose city leaders held a first community session on artificial intelligence data center rules as residents opposed expansion over grid, water, pollution, and health concerns.
8/19/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
LAist / Anjanette Gile
Alhambra City Council unanimously advanced a November 3 ballot measure that would ban data centers citywide, following local opposition and Monterey Park's June prohibition in California.
7/31/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
South Kern Sol / Ja'Nell Gore
Loud for Tomorrow and residents in California's Central Valley oppose Global Stack proposals in Inyokern, Taft, Kings County, and Tulare County over environmental impacts and unclear resource use.
7/25/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Shasta Scout
Siskiyou County supervisors met in Yreka in 2020s over a Mount Shasta planning inquiry into a proposed data center at a former Crystal Geyser industrial site.
7/9/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Caltech
Caltech hosted a June 15 workshop at the Resnick Sustainability Center to discuss AI data center community impacts, including a Monterey Park voter restriction.
7/9/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Patch / Angela Woodall
Global Stack LLC outlined an 8 to 10 megawatt edge data center plan for Calistoga fairgrounds in June 2025, facing resident and city opposition over environmental, water, power, and traffic concerns.
7/5/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Mercury News
Brentwood, California, councilmembers Faye Maloney and Jovita Mendoza seek a future vote on an ordinance banning new data centers within city limits.
6/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Shasta Scout
Mount Shasta officials received an AI data center inquiry near the former Crystal Geyser facility in Siskiyou County, with community opposition focusing on water and pollution concerns.
6/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR News
Monterey Park voters approved a data-center ban in 2026 after community pushback on water and electricity disclosure tied to an HMC Stratcap proposal.
6/23/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Nypost / Justin Choi
Coachella, California, imposed a 45-day data center moratorium and ended its Stronghold Power Systems agreement after resident protests and council votes.
6/6/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Democracy Now!
Monterey Park, California voters defeated a proposed AI data-center site in a ballot initiative and permanently banned new data-center construction.
6/5/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
ABC7 Los Angeles
Monterey Park voters passed Measure NDC in response to a proposed 250,000-square-foot data center planned within city limits.
6/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
CBS News Los Angeles / Matthew Rodriguez
Monterey Park, California scheduled a June primary election to decide Measure NDC after a moratorium and resident environmental objections to a proposed 250000-square-foot data center conversion.
6/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
KVCR Public Media
Coachella City Council voted to schedule a June 3 special meeting on a potential data-center moratorium after Stronghold Power Solutions proposed a six-site campus amid water concerns.
5/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Los Angeles Times / Nicole Nixon
Mark Baldassare-led poll of California adults shows 73% oppose new AI data center builds, with Inland Empire resistance stopping a proposed 950,000-square-foot project.
7/16/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Los Angeles Times
Monterey Park voters will decide Tuesday on Measure NDC, a proposed permanent citywide ban on data centers after HMC StratCap withdrew plans.
6/2/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Sacramento Bee
A writer urged Sacramento County and its cities to temporarily halt large artificial intelligence data-center projects so agencies and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District can establish safeguards.
9/13/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
San Jose City Council selected Prologis on November 18, 2025, to develop 159 acres near Zanker Road for potential AI data centers, prompting environmental review and further Council consideration.
6/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Mercury News / George Avalos
Prologis filed a San Jose permit application for a 514,000-square-foot, 99-megawatt data center at a former industrial site in North San Jose.
8/28/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
The Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
Aemetis is planning a 60-megawatt data center at Riverbank's former ammunition plant in California, with city review required for zoning, utilities, water, and community impacts.
8/21/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
The Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
Modesto and Patterson officials in California's Stanislaus County are evaluating potential data center development through impact reviews, interconnection safeguards, and a temporary moratorium.
7/29/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Abridged / Felicia Alvarez
SMUD in Sacramento is studying transmission needs for a 50-MW data center inquiry, with a targeted fall 2026 study completion amid limited hyperscale expectations.
7/14/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
KCRA / Karson Wells
Modesto residents opposed potential data-center development after NorthPoint Development made an inquiry, prompting city officials to confirm no applications and existing zoning restrictions.
8/9/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Sacramento Bee / Annika Merrilees
Sacramento city officials are studying zoning and impact policies for potential data centers in Sacramento after Link Logistics discussed a large-load project with the municipal utility district.
9/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
KQED
San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton plans to seek a 45-day pause on new data center approvals in San Francisco on September 15 while city officials study risks and revise regulations.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County supervisors directed a six-month study of large-scale AI data center impacts in unincorporated San Joaquin County, with findings expected in October.
9/2/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Press Democrat
On June 25, 2026, Global Stack LLC proposed a 10 MW edge data center and rooftop eVTOL landing space at Calistoga Fairgrounds, facing strong resident opposition.
6/26/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Modesto Bee
In July and September, officials in Patterson and Riverbank, California, respectively approved a 45-day data center moratorium and paused development to review proposed projects and local resource impacts.
10/1/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
The Vallejo Sun / Ryan Geller
Canon Partners is seeking investors for a potential 150 MW data center at a 300-acre industrial campus in northeast Fairfield, California, while Pacific Gas and Electric Company studies required power infrastructure.
8/17/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
The Fresno Bee / María G. Ortiz-Briones
Tulare County supervisors approved a 45-day moratorium Tuesday on unincorporated data center development as residents opposed a potential Global Stack edge computing project at the Tulare County Fairgrounds.
8/20/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Abridged / Felicia Alvarez
Link Logistics is pursuing a potential 50-megawatt data center in southeastern Sacramento, where SMUD and city officials are evaluating grid upgrades, approvals, and environmental review.
9/15/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Additional5 articles · CI Score below 45
The Mercury News / George Avalos
Oppidan filed plans for a 152,700-square-foot, 18-megawatt data center on a 10.1-acre South San Jose site, according to public records.
8/6/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Modesto Bee / Ken Carlson
NorthPoint Development is discussing a possible data center at Modesto's former FMC plant site, where officials and residents are seeking information about water, power, and environmental impacts.
8/3/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
The Business Journal / Gabriel Dillard
On July 21, the Tulare County Fair board could vote on a Global Stack LLC lease for 2 to 5 acres for 8- to 10-MW edge data centers at fairgrounds.
7/20/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
DatacenterDynamics / Dan Swinhoe
Prologis plans a 99 MW data center in San Jose, California on Silver Creek Valley Road, including an on-site substation, with construction estimated at about two years.
7/9/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General
Urbanize LA / Steven Sharp
El Segundo developers propose a data center redevelopment at 750 N. Nash Street in 2024, with an environmental impact report amendment required, as Monterey Park voters approve a citywide ban.
7/6/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General