Monterey Park votes to permanently ban datacenters
5 hours ago
- #community activism
- #datacenter ban
- #AI infrastructure
- Monterey Park, California residents voted on a permanent datacenter ban via ballot initiative, with early results showing 86.3% support.
- The ban addresses concerns about environmental effects, utility prices, and proximity to homes, building on an earlier indefinite moratorium by the city council.
- This is the first US ballot measure to permanently ban datacenters, setting a model for other communities facing similar proposals.
- Nationally, 70% of Americans oppose local AI datacenter construction, leading to increased political pressure and proposed moratoriums in multiple states.
- Opponents like the Data Center Coalition argue the ban harms economic opportunities, while local organizers emphasized voter education to clarify ballot language.