Palm Springs City Council approves temporary data center moratorium

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Palm Springs City Councilmembers approved a temporary moratorium on new data center projects.

The 45-day pause would give the city more time to study the potential impacts of data centers and determine whether additional regulations are needed.

The discussion comes as other Coachella Valley cities take action on the issue. Desert Hot Springs and Indio have approved temporary moratoriums, while Coachella approved a permanent ban on Wednesday.

Concerns surrounding data centers include their potential demand for electricity and water, as well as impacts on infrastructure and nearby communities. Supporters have pointed to potential economic and tax benefits.

Palm Springs' moratorium is not a permanent ban, but instead, it would give city officials time to evaluate future rules for data center development.

News Channel 3's Luis Avila was at tonight's meeting. He'll have more on the decision at 10 and 11 p.m.