The developer behind what would be California’s single-largest data center — a 1 million foot campus in the Imperial County desert — isn’t backing down as public opinion and local officials turn against him.
As CalMatters’ Deborah Brennan explains, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC wants to build what it calls a “hyperscale facility” in Imperial Valley. The company estimates the center — about the size of 16 football fields — would produce 100 long-term jobs and generate $28.7 million in annual tax revenue.
In April the facility’s developer, Sebastian Rucci, cleared a key hurdle after county supervisors approved a plan to combine several tracts of land for the facility. But after months of public backlash, supervisors walked back their decision last week, calling for a 45-day moratorium and the creation of a public commission focused on zoning policy for the facility.
The city of Imperial also filed a lawsuit challenging the data center’s review under the state’s environmental law. And local voters are collecting signatures for a ballot measure to ban new data centers countywide — similar to Monterey Park’s recent ban.
Meanwhile, Sen. Steve Padilla is pushing a handful of bills that would tighten regulations on data center construction in California, with one specifically geared towards Imperial County. The Chula Vista Democrat’s proposal would increase the number of members on the county’s air board from five to 10, and include seats that would represent public health, environmental groups and agriculture.
- Padilla, at a town hall in El Centro: “They can’t just come in and claim that they … have a right to build the biggest data center in the state without any oversight.”
But Rucci is not giving up. He plans to file a lawsuit to seek a temporary restraining order challenging the moratorium, arguing that the county failed to show a true emergency, explain the center’s potential harms and disclose the specific concerns residents raised.
- Rucci: “People can’t just emotionally say that ‘I dislike data centers.’ It’s just a building, but with a lot less intensive use than other uses.”
Focus on Inland Empire: Each Wednesday, CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Aidan McGloin surveys the big stories from that part of California. Read his newsletter and sign up here to receive it.
Other Stories You Should Know
What can stop rising HOA fees?
To help address the state’s affordability crisis, the Legislature is advancing a bill that would curb homeowners association fees. But some Democrats are casting doubt about whether HOA dues are really to blame for the rising costs, writes CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan.
The bill would limit how much HOAs could increase members’ dues each year from the current 20% to no more than 8%. More than a third of California residents live in an HOA, and they pay among the highest median monthly HOA fees in the nation, at nearly $300.
Bill proponents say the cap would help families already struggling with soaring mortgage rates and gas prices. But critics argue that the bill is unnecessary since HOA board members are unlikely to agree to dramatically raise their own fees.
In her opposition to the bill, state Sen. Catherine Blakespear defended HOA boards, saying they alone aren’t responsible for rising fees. She, along with five other Senate Democrats and a majority of Republicans, voted against the proposal last month. It advanced through the chamber anyway on a 24-13 vote and is currently before the Assembly.
Homeless funding fight: Round 2
From CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall:
The Trump administration wants to change the way it funds homeless shelters and housing in California and other states.
It tried last year to move federal homelessness funds away from permanent housing and into temporary housing that requires sobriety. That move, which goes against California’s “housing first” policy favoring a no-strings-attached approach to housing, was blocked by a federal judge.
Now, the Trump administration is trying again. Once again, it’s facing pushback.
This week, a group that includes the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Santa Clara County filed a challenge in Rhode Island’s federal court to the Trump administration’s latest funding guidelines.
- Tony LoPresti, Santa Clara County counsel, in a news release: “The Trump administration’s callous decision to take a second bite at dismantling one of our nation’s most important homelessness prevention programs after a federal court already blocked the administration’s first attempt shows a complete disregard for the people who depend on this funding to keep a roof over their heads.”
More than $4 billion in federal funding is at stake. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates the proposed changes could cost California nearly $238 million for permanent housing, and threaten to put nearly 15,000 Californians back on the street.
- Scott Turner, HUD secretary, in a news release earlier this month: “The ‘housing first’ experiment failed Americans by warehousing the vulnerable without results. This ideology promised to end homelessness. Instead, billions of taxpayer dollars were spent while homelessness increased to record levels.”
And lastly: Uber under scrutiny
Last year Uber successfully pushed for a law that lowers the required insurance coverage it must carry for uninsured and underinsured drivers. The ride-hailing company told lawmakers the policy was good for consumers due to rising insurance costs. But a consumer advocacy group alleges that Uber misled lawmakers by failing to disclose that the company pays itself for insurance. Read more from CalMatters’ Levi Sumagaysay.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: The November ballot could contain several tax-related measures, but there’s evidence that Californians’ appetites for raising the state’s tax burden is waning.
With a shortage of nearly 500,000 homes, Los Angeles can solve its housing supply, affordability and revenue problems at once by legalizing starter homes, writes Arthur Gailes, research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Other things worth your time:
The conservative writer taking aim at Newsom’s green agenda // Politico
DC’s reflecting pool contractor tried cleaning Tijuana River too // Voice of San Diego
SF landlord threatens to evict 92-year-old over clutter // The San Francisco Standard
CA law that forbids ‘forced outing’ of trans students blocked by 9th Circuit // Los Angeles Times
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are back in San Joaquin County // Stocktonia
The Colorado River is vanishing — and the fixes are getting weird // Grist
CA intends to sue Trump administration over deal to end offshore wind project // AP News
With James Gallagher, an ardent conservative will continue to represent CA’s District 1 for now // Shasta Scout
via CalMatters https://ift.tt/Gb2MZfl
No comments:
Post a Comment