Coachella seeks moratorium on data centers projects after hundreds protest during meeting
Update 5/27/26 - 11:30 p.m.
The city of Coachella will be considering a moratorium and possibly even a ban on data centers and similar projects. The decision came after a more than five-hour meeting filled with public comments, with all but the developer speaking out against the project.
City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance for a moratorium, or a pause, which could be brought back for a vote as soon as next week.
Councilmembers said the first step for a possible ban would be a moratorium.
You can watch the full meeting on the city's website.
Original Report 5/27/26 - 7:15 p.m.
COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) - Hundreds showed up to protest a proposed data center at Wednesday's Coachella City Council meeting.
The Coachella Valley Technology Campus would be built through a municipal utility agreement between the city and Stronghold Power Systems. That agreement shows the project growing as large as 450 acres with 6 data centers.
On Wednesday, the city council is set to consider a third party legal counsel to review the agreement. Documents show it could cost between $10,000 and $25,000.
The city maintains that no plans have been submitted and the project still needs an environmental impact report (EIR).
Following intense community pushback, News Channel 3 asked Stronghold developers if a data center has to be included in the project.
"There is a requirement for a large load to be brought in, and the data center fits perfectly with that. It was in the P-3 agreement, the presentations that we've made to the City Council," Alex Rodriguez, a government affairs advisor with Stronghold said.
Rodriguez claims the technology campus would generate power for future homes and create stable infrastructure for the east valley, including a fire station on lot.
As residents voice concerns about air, noise and water pollution, Stronghold says this data center would be different.
"There have been some data centers throughout the country that have been, you know, nuisances, to say the least. This is different because this is California. So we have some very strict guardrails that we need to follow when it comes to environmental issues," Rodriguez said.
Residents don't buy it.
"I would question the fact that there are firm rules in place, especially because there was a possible rule, AB 93, that was passed by the state assembly and vetoed by Gavin Newsom. All that bill would have done was simply require data centers to just report their actual water use," Elizabeth Humphreys, an Indio resident said.
Some say they won't stop fighting, even if the data center is built.
"We will not take no for an answer. We will recall city council members if we have to. The fight doesn't stop. We will not take no for an answer," Stephanie Ambriz of Coachella said.
