Full Breakdown
Community Mobilization Halts Datacenter Construction in Monterey Park
2/7/2026, 9:51:40 PM
Overview of the Opposition Movement
In December 2025, the city council of Monterey Park, California, proposed the construction of a large datacenter, prompting immediate backlash from local residents. A grassroots group named No Data Center Monterey Park, in collaboration with the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) Progressive Action, spearheaded a campaign against the facility, which was set to occupy an area equivalent to four football fields. The campaign quickly gained momentum, utilizing a combination of door-to-door outreach, flyers in multiple languages, and community events, culminating in a petition that garnered nearly 5,000 signatures.
Community Concerns and Environmental Impact
The proposed datacenter raised significant concerns among residents regarding its potential impact on the local power grid, energy costs, and public health. The facility was expected to operate 14 diesel generators, which are known to emit nitrogen oxides linked to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung cancer. Organizers emphasized that the datacenter would exacerbate existing issues related to energy consumption and environmental degradation, particularly in a city characterized by its diverse population, which is predominantly Asian and Hispanic.
Broader Context of Datacenter Opposition
The resistance in Monterey Park is part of a larger national movement against datacenter construction. Research from Data Center Watch indicates that local communities across the United States have delayed or canceled approximately $98 billion worth of datacenter projects from March to June 2025. This opposition has united various groups, including environmentalists and local residents, regardless of political affiliation. In Indiana, for instance, communities have halted numerous datacenter projects, reflecting a growing bipartisan discontent with the expansion of these facilities.
Official Responses and Legislative Actions
The backlash against datacenters has prompted responses from both state and federal lawmakers. In Virginia, Governor Abigail Spanberger has advocated for policies ensuring that AI companies contribute fairly to electricity costs. Progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and Rashida Tlaib have also supported calls for a moratorium on datacenter construction. Conversely, Republican leaders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have introduced legislation aimed at regulating AI infrastructure.
Future Steps and Community Engagement
Following the successful initial pushback, Monterey Park city council members have proposed placing the decision on the datacenter's future before voters in the upcoming November ballot. This approach aims to engage the community further and raise awareness about the implications of such developments. Organizers like Steven Kung and Andrew Yip emphasize the importance of continued community involvement and education, stating, “We won a victory, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s like the third act of an Oscar-winning movie,” — Steven Kung, Co-founder, No Data Center Monterey Park
- “For many Hoosiers, datacenters have become a physical manifestation of their mistrust of big tech, the elected officials who have embraced them, and the system that allows all this to happen,” — Bryce Gustafson, Citizens Action Coalition Organizer
- “This is about community members rising to the occasion to look out for one another,” — Andrew Yip, Community Organizer, SGV Progressive Action
The fight against the proposed datacenter in Monterey Park illustrates a significant grassroots movement that reflects broader concerns about environmental sustainability, public health, and community integrity in the face of rapid technological expansion.
