Los Angeles County faces rising opposition to AI data centers

A growing movement against the expansion of AI data centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has become a central issue in upcoming local elections across Los Angeles County. Residents in cities such as Alhambra, Monterey Park, and the San Gabriel Valley are transitioning from grassroots activism to political engagement, with several candidates running on platforms to implement permanent bans on data center developments.

In Monterey Park, voters recently passed a landmark initiative to block a proposed project by developer HMC StratCap. Following this precedent, Alhambra is moving toward a permanent voter-authorized ban. Concerns cited by community leaders and candidates include public safety risks associated with large-scale battery storage—highlighting recent fires in nearby areas—and the significant strain on local water resources due to the high cooling requirements of these facilities.

While the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission implemented a temporary moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, a permanent county-wide ban faces political hurdles. Meanwhile, local school districts, including Rowland Unified and Bassett Unified, have passed resolutions opposing the establishment of these facilities to protect their communities.