CONTRA COSTA, CA — An East Bay city will appoint community stakeholders to advise officials on what policies should govern potential future data centers.
City Manager Darin Gale announced the Advisory Committee on Data Center Development during an Aug. 3 special Pittsburg City Council study session.
The committee will include Pittsburg stakeholders representing different backgrounds, industries, and perspectives, according to an announcement.
City council approved the AVAIO data center in November 2024.
The announcement followed a virtual community workshop on July 30.
More than 200 people attended the workshop and submitted over 300 questions before and during the meeting, Gale said in the statement.
"Over the last few months, we have received ongoing questions from the community surrounding data center development within our city," Gale said.
"We shared a comprehensive overview of the City's policies, procedures, and projects on this topic," according to the statement. "Now we have an opportunity to bring residents to the table to help shape the future of data center policy in Pittsburg."
But, according to the statement, committee members will review research, discuss data center development, and advise Gale on related policies. Gale will appoint the members, who will serve over the next several months.
What capacity they will have to change policies or request information that is not already available is not clear, and Gale could not be reached immediately for comment.
The city also plans to continue public outreach and engagement involving data center projects and development.
Residents can learn more about the committee and current projects at pittsburgca.gov/datacenter or email datacenters@pittsburgca.gov.
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