Summary
Residents are upset the county seems to be coordinating with the developer of a proposed hyperscale AI data center in Imperial before public review, and that a county-hosted town hall looked like a sales pitch. The Board responded by converting the town hall into a special evening informational meeting on March 26 where the public can comment but supervisors can't take positions.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 21
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 13, 2026.
Impact analysis
The data center itself isn't on today's agenda, but the fight is driving recall campaigns, litigation risk, and a proposed countywide industrial-siting ordinance.
Residents get an evening meeting where they can question the developer directly and be heard.
Neighbors near the proposed site remain concerned about noise, emissions, and a process they see as tilted toward the developer.
Mentions & discussions (34)
Inside the long, bitter fight over one man’s quest to build the biggest AI datacenter in California
Inside the long, bitter fight over one man’s quest to build the biggest AI datacenter in California The Guardian
Board of Supervisors - Oct 13, 2026
Residents again pressed the board over the overturned data center lot merger, millions in litigation costs, and whether a ballot measure should let voters decide the issue.
Board of Supervisors - Sep 15, 2026
Supervisor Escobar announced he wants the Board to consider a public vote — possibly a special election costing $100,000-$200,000 — on data centers in Imperial Valley. The Data Center Advisory Committee meets for the first time Thursday and must report by January 1, 2027.
Board of Supervisors - Aug 25, 2026
Speakers clashed over the proposed hyperscale data center near Victoria Ranch — one neighbor said he'd welcome it, while others demanded to know whether officials signed NDAs with developers and criticized the county for pushing industrial growth while fire services lag. Supervisors Cardenas-Singh and Price again denied signing any NDAs.
The high-stakes legal battle over one of California’s largest proposed data centers — and what it means
The high-stakes legal battle over one of California’s largest proposed data centers — and what it means San Francisco Chronicle
Board of Supervisors - Aug 18, 2026
Supporters say a proposed data center could bring 1,688 construction jobs and $2.95 billion in economic impact; critics point to water demands, a failed Salton Sea EIR, and putting industry next to residents.
Board of Supervisors - Jul 7, 2026
Residents repeatedly pressed the Board over the massive AI data center approved near Victoria Ranch via ministerial permits, demanding a full environmental impact report, transparency on Lithium Valley spending, and accountability from staff. The proposed CEQA rules update became a flashpoint, with speakers calling it a procedural trap and the item being continued to July 28.
Board of Supervisors - Jun 23, 2026
Residents again demanded accountability over the AI data center proposed next to Victoria Ranch in Imperial — questioning the ministerial permitting call, water rights, and a lot merger now challenged in court. Supervisor Escobar pushed to schedule the moratorium public hearing immediately.
This rural, California county approved a massive new data center. Then it changed its mind.
This rural, California county approved a massive new data center. Then it changed its mind. CalMatters
Imperial County California Hits the Brakes on Its Largest Planned AI Data Center
Imperial County California Hits the Brakes on Its Largest Planned AI Data Center Gadget Review
Board of Supervisors - May 19, 2026
Public commenters again blasted the board over the proposed data center — citing the Brawley foundation tax controversy, water and power demands, and lack of transparency. Escobar wants rules changed to allow a reconsideration vote; Price submitted siting guidelines; Cardenas-Singh has a safeguards resolution coming June 2.
Board of Supervisors - May 5, 2026
Residents keep showing up to oppose the AI data center project, citing air quality, children's health, water and power use, and emergency preparedness gaps. Speakers flagged ongoing lawsuits against the county, a June 25 court hearing, a recall effort against two supervisors, and demands for a retroactive moratorium.
Board of Supervisors - Apr 28, 2026
Residents packed the chamber to denounce the county's handling of the hyperscale AI data center project, citing leaked emails showing staff risk assessments, the absence of CEQA review, and the suicide of a local opponent. A recall notice was formally served on Chairwoman Price. Supervisor Escobar proposed drafting an ordinance setting distance buffers between industrial projects and homes and schools.
Board of Supervisors - Apr 21, 2026
Residents served a recall notice on Chairwoman Peggy Price over her April 7 vote approving a lot merger tied to a 950,000-square-foot data center, and say the public was improperly silenced at that hearing. A Brown Act cure-and-correct demand has been filed, and questions about the project remain unanswered a month after a special meeting.
Man speaking against data center arrested at Imperial County board meeting as tensions flare nationwide
Man speaking against data center arrested at Imperial County board meeting as tensions flare nationwide Los Angeles Times
AI data center plan energizes opposition in California desert
AI data center plan energizes opposition in California desert inewsource
Imperial County supervisors clear path for massive data center complex amid fierce opposition
Imperial County supervisors clear path for massive data center complex amid fierce opposition KPBS
‘This data center will come.’ The fight over California’s largest AI development
‘This data center will come.’ The fight over California’s largest AI development inewsource
Imperial County supervisors to hold key vote on controversial data center project
Imperial County supervisors to hold key vote on controversial data center project KPBS
Residents speak out against proposed data center in Imperial County
Residents speak out against proposed data center in Imperial County Los Angeles Times
Board of Supervisors - Special Meeting - Mar 26, 2026
A proposed 330-megawatt hyperscale data center on roughly 75 acres near El Centro and Imperial has drawn intense community opposition over noise, water use, air quality, and its ministerial/by-right permitting. The board held this informational meeting but took no action; the lot merger appeal and road vacation remain pending before the board.
Board of Supervisors - Mar 24, 2026
The county detailed logistics for the March 26 special meeting on the Imperial Data Center project — informational only, no vote — with one-hour public comment and overflow space. A resident raised safety concerns about an individual connected to the project's developer attending the meeting.
Board of Supervisors - Mar 17, 2026
Residents are upset the county seems to be coordinating with the developer of a proposed hyperscale AI data center in Imperial before public review, and that a county-hosted town hall looked like a sales pitch. The Board responded by converting the town hall into a special evening informational meeting on March 26 where the public can comment but supervisors can't take positions.
Board of Supervisors - Mar 10, 2026
Four of five public speakers pressed the board on the proposed 950,000-square-foot AI data center near Victoria Ranch, citing 132 generators, battery storage fire risk, thin fire staffing at Station 6, water and air concerns, and the pending City of Imperial lawsuit over how the project was approved as 'light industrial.' The board took no action Tuesday but supervisors said they are reading residents' emails.
Board of Supervisors - Mar 3, 2026
Speaker after speaker urged the Board to oppose the 3,300-megawatt data center planned next to Imperial neighborhoods, citing water, power, air quality, home values, and the developer's background. Speakers demanded moratoriums, setbacks, full environmental review, and clear yes-or-no positions from supervisors running for re-election.
Board of Supervisors - Special Meeting - Feb 17, 2026
Residents packed the chamber to protest the Board ratifying its letter to Senator Padilla about the proposed AI data center, demanding a full public dialogue, an independent environmental review, and answers on water use and the developer's credibility. The Board approved the letter anyway, saying it only documents communications.
California community panics as $15 billion in data centers planned
California community panics as $15 billion in data centers planned SFGATE
Board of Supervisors - Feb 3, 2026
Sixteen residents, most of them opponents, used public comment to press the board on the proposed AI data center, demanding CEQA environmental review, questioning fire preparedness for the 862-megawatt Tesla Megapack battery system, and raising concerns about water use, noise, air quality, and jobs. The board took no action since the item was not on the agenda, but the pressure campaign is clearly building toward future hearings.
Should a town with an ‘inferiority complex’ welcome a giant data center?
Should a town with an ‘inferiority complex’ welcome a giant data center? Los Angeles Times
Board of Supervisors - Jan 13, 2026
Public comment was dominated by opposition to the proposed data center and related battery storage projects — concerns about water use, grid drain, secret NDAs, and a growing pile of lawsuits. The Board said it legally can't respond because the project is in litigation, and a public workshop is set for January 14.
Data Center developer files civil rights lawsuit against City of Imperial
Data Center developer files civil rights lawsuit against City of Imperial Imperial Valley Press Online
330MW Google-linked data center proposed in Southern California
330MW Google-linked data center proposed in Southern California Data Center Dynamics
Board of Supervisors - Jan 6, 2026
Residents are pushing back hard on a proposed 950,000-square-foot AI data center near homes in Victoria Ranch, arguing the county skipped proper CEQA environmental review. Speakers want data centers removed as a permitted use in M-1 zoning and special conditions near schools and neighborhoods. A county workshop on data centers is set for January 14.
Imperial County advances grading for massive data center; City, IID sound alerts | Local News
Imperial County advances grading for massive data center; City, IID sound alerts | Local News The Desert Review
Related development
Imperial Data Center
Neighbors worry about noise, generator emissions, and traffic; the project remains pending and could come before the Board for a decision later.
Hyperscale AI Data Center / Lithium Valley Specific Plan area
Opponents say it would worsen the valley's worst-in-state childhood asthma rates, drive up utility bills, lower property values, and strain water supplies; supporters point to jobs and training funding.
AI Data Center near Victoria Ranch
Residents fear health, noise, water, and property value impacts without a full environmental review; the county has scheduled a public workshop on January 14.
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