Data center development
A proposed large data center campus near the City of Imperial has dominated Imperial County Board of Supervisors discussions, prompting temporary moratoriums on new facilities in unincorporated areas after resident opposition over water use, energy demands, air pollution from generators, and quality-of-life impacts. Courts struck down earlier freezes; supervisors are split on a possible voter ballot measure while an advisory committee studies the issue amid 2026 elections.
How should Imperial County handle proposed large data centers in unincorporated areas?
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Sources
Supervisors Jesus Eduardo Escobar and Martha Cardenas-Singh — https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/10/08/two-imperial-county-supervisors-press-for-special-election-on-data-centers
two Imperial County supervisors press for special election on data centers
KPBS — https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/10/08/two-imperial-county-supervisors-press-for-special-election-on-data-centers
The BOS initially approved related steps but faced backlash and imposed temporary urgency moratoriums on new data centers in unincorporated areas.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Permanently ban new data centers in unincorporated areas to protect water, air, and residents
- Impose strict permanent regulations and require full voter approval before any data center
- Continue temporary freeze and wait for advisory committee recommendations before deciding
- Allow data centers with standard environmental review and local impact mitigations
- Fast-track data center approvals to attract jobs, investment, and economic growth