Data Center Concerns Top Special City Meeting Amid Backlash

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Amid growing concerns over the industry's potential effects on water supplies, electricity demand, noise, and surrounding neighborhoods, officials are hosting a virtual community workshop in July to answer questions about a proposed data center.

Pittsburg city staff scheduled the meeting for July 30 at 6 p.m. to explain the city's data center development process, discuss current projects, and respond to questions from residents.

Council member Jelani Killings said the council called the meeting for residents seeking more information about how data centers are reviewed and what impacts they could have on the community.

"After hearing from many concerned residents, it is clear we need to have a deeper conversation with our community about data center development in Pittsburg," Killings said in a statement released today.

Residents began organizing "Stop Pittsburg Data Center" meetings across the street from Rancho Medanos Jr. High School after the city announced a plan to transform a former East Bay golf course into a data center.

Under the plan announced in June, the former Delta View Golf Course property along West Leland Road would become the Pittsburg Technology Park.

The project's first phase includes the AVAIO Perseus Data Center, according to the City of Pittsburg.

The plan has ignited a growing fight in Pittsburg, where city leaders see economic opportunity and critics see environmental risks and a host of other impacts that data centers bring with them.

Residents should submit questions before the meeting by emailing datacenters@pittsburgca.gov so they can be addressed during the workshop.

The city also recently updated its data center project webpage and is considering additional public engagement efforts as projects move forward, according to an announcement.

"Residents have raised thoughtful questions about water, energy, noise, and long-term neighborhood impacts, and the City takes them seriously," City Manager Darin Gale said in the announcement.

The July 30 workshop will be held on Zoom. A recording will be online.

The City Council is scheduled to receive an update about their Aug. 3 meeting.

Pittsburg Data Centers Virtual Community Workshop
Date: July 30
Time: 6 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81157292257

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