Marketplace · Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Residents of Monterey Park, California, successfully advocated for a city ordinance banning new data centers, making it the first US city to do so. The ban was driven by concerns over the significant water and electricity consumption of data centers, which residents feared would strain local resources.
“Monterey Park on the east side of LA County, it's become the first city in the US to ban data centers.”
“A lot of water, for one, and enough electricity to power 40,000 homes.”
“After months of rallies and public meetings, the city reversed course. In April, the council approved an ordinance banning data centers and then it put the issue on the June ballot. That passed with 88% of the vote.”