In a landslide victory for local control, voters in Monterey Park, California, became the first in the U.S. to approve a permanent ban on data centers within city limits. Measure NDC passed with approximately 86% support on June 2, 2026, amending the city’s general plan to prohibit these power-hungry facilities. The ban can only be overturned by another public vote.
Residents mobilized against a proposed 247,000-square-foot data center that threatened to triple the city’s electricity use, strain water resources amid California droughts, increase noise and air pollution, and drive up utility rates. Political reps like Steven Kung and Councilmember Jose Sanchez hailed it as a defense of community health, air quality, and affordability.
This outcome reflects growing nationwide backlash against data centers fueling AI and cloud computing. Massive energy and water demands have sparked protests and moratoriums elsewhere, with dozens of projects worth billions stalled. Monterey Park now sets a precedent as the first city to enact such a ban through a voter-approved ballot measure.
From a perspective prioritizing constitutional principles and limited government, Monterey Park’s vote underscores the power of the individual voter. Communities should retain the right to protect their neighborhoods from industrial-scale projects that prioritize corporate expansion over resident well-being, without heavy-handed federal mandates. While innovation and data infrastructure matter for economic growth and security, they shouldn’t come at the unchecked expense of local resources, property values, or quality of life.
Other cities facing similar proposals may follow this model, favoring housing or lighter development in industrial zones. Monterey Park demonstrates practical stewardship in balancing technological progress with community needs.
Sources/More reading:
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/california-monterey-park-datacenters-ban
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/03/us/elections/data-center-ban-monterey-park-california.html