Monterey Park Residents Vote to Permanently Ban Datacenters Amid Environmental Concerns
Residents of Monterey Park, California, have voted to permanently ban datacenters in their community, marking the first instance in the U.S. where such a decision was made through a ballot initiative. The vote saw 86.3% of participants supporting the ban, reflecting strong local opposition to datacenters due to concerns over environmental impacts, utility costs, and proximity to residential areas. The decision follows an indefinite moratorium imposed by the city council in April, which was prompted by public backlash against a proposed datacenter by HMC StratCap. The initiative aims to protect air quality, water resources, and public health, and will remain in effect until overturned by voters. 
