Alhambra voters will get a say this November on whether to impose a citywide ban on data centers.
Measure DB in Alhambra, which would prohibit data centers in the city, follows on the heels of Monterey Park’s Measure NDC, which voters passed earlier this year in June to ban data centers in its city.
The growth of data centers and artificial intelligence has become a topic of discussion among politicians at a local and federal scale — from protection against AI in Hollywood to regulating the industry. Now, some local residents will be able to decide whether they should be allowed to be in their communities.
A data center houses a network of computer systems that are used for data storage.
They require the use of backup diesel generators and freshwater to keep the computers cool. Depending on the size of the center, up to 5 million gallons of freshwater could be used per day, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
Those who oppose data centers have cited environmental concerns as their reasoning, while those who support them say they help the U.S. stay ahead technologically of global competitors.
The measure allows Alhambra residents to decide whether data centers should be prohibited in the city. The measure reads:
“Shall an ordinance be adopted affirming the Council-adopted ban on “Data Centers” by amending the Alhambra Municipal Code to again define “Data Centers” and prohibit them in all zones of the City?”
Voting “yes” for the measure would prohibit data centers in the city of Alhambra.
Voting “no” against the measure opposes prohibiting data centers in Alhambra, which could pave the way to allow them in the city.
