Voters in Monterey Park, California, approved a ban on new data center construction amid concerns about water and energy usage. The ballot measure prohibits additional facilities in the city, joining a small but growing number of local jurisdictions restricting the industry’s expansion.
Residents cited the enormous electricity and cooling demands of data centers, which operate around the clock to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads. Water consumption for cooling systems also drew opposition in a region that has faced drought conditions.
Technology companies have sought sites near power infrastructure and fiber networks, often proposing projects promising tax revenue and jobs. Monterey Park voters prioritized resource conservation and neighborhood character over those economic arguments.
The ban applies to future construction and does not require existing facilities to close. City officials will now develop zoning rules consistent with the voter mandate as the data center industry continues to pursue locations across the United States.
Monterey Park joins other California communities weighing the local impact of energy-intensive technology infrastructure. Existing data centers in the city may continue operating under the voter-approved measure, which targets only new construction permits.
California cities have grappled with balancing technology industry investment against local environmental constraints.
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Sources:
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/6/5/headlines