Monterey Park Bans Data Centers, Setting National Precedent
Monterey Park, a community in Southern California, has become the first city in the United States to permanently ban the development of data centers. This decision was made following a vote on June 2, where approximately 88% of residents supported the measure. The ban was largely driven by public opposition to a proposed data center project at 1977 Saturn Street, which would have included a 218,400-square-foot facility and an electrical substation. The project promised community benefits such as a pocket park and significant tax revenue, but residents expressed concerns about environmental impacts and the excessive electricity usage, which was projected to be three times that of the entire city. The developers eventually withdrew their proposal in March after a citywide moratorium was imposed. 
