Indio and Coachella continue to make progress on data center bans

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - As a wave of data center dissent spreads across the Coachella Valley, both Coachella and Indio advanced measures heading for permanent bans on Wednesday evening.

The city of Coachella's planning commission approved the draft for a permanent ban ordinance on data centers during Wednesday's meeting. It comes after city council extended a 45-day data center moratorium to 10 months and 15 days, to build out a permanent ban.

Coachella's Mayor Frank Figueroa says a permanent ban would change the city's municipal code, which would require two votes by the city council to change. The votes are scheduled to be held on Aug. 12 and Aug. 26.

In Indio, the city council voted to extend a temporary 45-day moratorium to also make way for a permanent ban. City staff requested more time for a permanent ban, which is expected that the permanent ban could be in place by last October or early November.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.