RivCo Officials Establish 45-Day Moratorium On Data Center Applications

INDIO, CA — A 45-day moratorium on new data centers was in effect Thursday in Indio.

The Indio City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an urgency ordinance establishing the moratorium. Although the city does not have any current applications to develop data centers, the moratorium was adopted so city staff can have sufficient time to evaluate and study issues surrounding such developments.

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The urgency ordinance follows a large number of protests in nearby Coachella over a proposed data center.

"Data centers have caused a huge concern from some of our residents due to the high demand of water use, fossils fuels, potential environmental impacts and public health impacts," Councilman Oscar Ortiz said in a social media post.

The next steps for Indio will include a review and discussion of policy options during a planning commission meeting on June 24, followed by a discussion with the council on July 15. City officials said staff might develop "very strict regulations for data centers, extending the moratorium, or considering a permanent prohibition on data center uses within the city."