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Jun 04, 2026
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California City Makes History with Permanent Datacenter Ban

AI Summary
Monterey Park, California, became the first US city to permanently ban datacenters through a ballot initiative, with 86.3% of voters supporting the measure. The decision reflects growing nationwide opposition to AI datacenter construction, with communities citing environmental concerns and utility impacts.

The Historic Ballot Victory

Residents in Monterey Park, California, made history on Tuesday by becoming the first in the US to vote on a permanent ban on datacenters through a ballot initiative. Early results indicate a resounding victory for the prohibition, with 86.3% of the more than 7,000 votes counted so far in favor of banning datacenters. This landmark decision comes as communities nationwide increasingly push back against the rapid expansion of datacenters powering the AI boom.

The Technical and Legal Breakthrough

While many cities and counties have passed temporary or indefinite moratoriums via local governments, Monterey Park's ballot measure represents a more permanent solution. The measure, which needed only a majority vote to pass, will ban "data centers citywide to protect air quality, drinking water resources and public health; prevent impacts to electricity and water rates." The rule will remain in effect "until ended by voters," giving it greater legal weight than a simple moratorium that developers might challenge in court.

The Statistical Landscape of Opposition

The overwhelming support in Monterey Park aligns with national sentiment. A new Gallup poll shows that seven in 10 Americans oppose the construction of AI datacenters in their local areas. This widespread opposition is reflected in other communities across the country, with at least a dozen states considering moratoriums on datacenter construction this legislative session. The vote count in Monterey Park—86.3% in favor—significantly exceeds this national average, indicating particularly strong local resistance.

The Industry and Community Impact

The ban represents a significant setback for datacenter developers and the tech industry. The Data Center Coalition (DCC), a trade association that tracks development of these facilities, opposes Monterey Park's measure, arguing it "sends a signal that the area is closed for business." According to the DCC, such bans deprive local residents of job opportunities and investment while causing areas to "relinquish substantial long-term economic investment, high-wage jobs, and critical tax revenue to neighboring areas or other states." However, local organizers counter that the environmental and quality-of-life concerns outweigh potential economic benefits.

The Future of Datacenter Development

Monterey Park's vote sets a powerful precedent that other communities are likely to follow. In addition to the Wisconsin cities of Port Washington and Janesville, which have implemented or are considering similar measures, Augusta township in Michigan will vote on a datacenter referendum in August. The growing backlash against datacenters has also become a political issue, with challengers to incumbent governors in Pennsylvania and Georgia staking out positions on regulating AI by pushing for temporary bans. As the AI industry continues to expand, communities nationwide are increasingly demanding a say in where these facilities are built, potentially reshaping the landscape of technology infrastructure development in the United States.