California Community Successfully Halts Datacenter Construction Amid Environmental Concerns
In Monterey Park, California, a community-led initiative has successfully halted the construction of a large datacenter. The proposed facility, which was to be the size of four football fields, faced opposition due to concerns over its environmental impact, including increased energy consumption and noise pollution. The grassroots movement, led by No Data Center Monterey Park and supported by the San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action group, mobilized residents through rallies, door-to-door campaigns, and multilingual petitions. Their efforts resulted in a 45-day moratorium on the datacenter's construction, with city leaders considering a permanent ban. This local victory is part of a broader national trend where communities are increasingly opposing datacenter projects due to their environmental and economic impacts.