California City Votes to Ban Data Centers Forever
Monterey Park becomes first U.S. city where residents voted directly on banning these computer facilities.
Data centers are special buildings that companies use to store computer servers. These servers are like giant computers that help run the internet. When you use apps like Instagram or watch videos on YouTube, data centers make it possible. They need lots of electricity and water to keep the computers cool.
The company that wanted to build in Monterey Park has now given up on their plan. HMC StratCap withdrew their application after facing so much opposition from residents. They had also threatened to sue the city if the ban continued. However, they have decided not to take legal action anymore.
City council member Sanchez thinks having a voter-approved ban is much stronger than just a city council decision. If someone challenges the ban in court, the city can say that thousands of residents voted for it. This makes it harder for companies to argue that the ban is unfair or illegal.
The ballot language asked voters to ban data centers to protect air quality, drinking water, and public health. It also mentioned preventing higher electricity and water bills. Some people thought this language was unfair because it only mentioned negative effects. The data center company complained that the wording was biased against them.
They recognized so many residents are angry, and, if they move forward with the datacenter, they could possibly be voted out.
Comprehension quiz preview
1. What percentage of voters in Monterey Park supported banning data centers?
2. What is Jose Sanchez's current job besides being a city council member?
3. How big was the proposed data center that HMC StratCap wanted to build?