Monterey Park Voters Ban Data Centers, Setting National Precedent
Residents of Monterey Park, California, have voted to ban data centers, marking the first instance in the United States where such a ban has been enacted through a public vote. The measure, known as Measure NDC, was passed with 86% of the vote, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. This decision follows a previous ordinance by the Monterey Park City Council to ban data centers after public opposition to a proposed 247,000-square-foot facility. The proposed data center was criticized for its potential environmental impact, including noise and air pollution, and its high electricity consumption, which was projected to be three times that of the entire city. The Data Center Coalition, an industry trade group, expressed disappointment, stating that the ban could deter economic development and job opportunities in the area. 
