Monterey Park Community Unites to Halt Datacentre Development
Residents of Monterey Park, a suburban city east of Los Angeles, gathered at city hall on 21 January to voice strong opposition to the construction of a large-scale datacentre. Through a determined grassroots campaign, the community achieved a significant victory, with city leaders imposing a 45-day moratorium on datacentre construction and committing to explore a permanent ban.
Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum
When the city council proposed building a datacentre the size of four football fields in December, five residents initiated a campaign to stop the project. The group, known as No Data Center Monterey Park, collaborated with the San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, a racial justice organisation, to raise awareness about the facility's potential impacts.
Organisers conducted a teach-in and rally that attracted hundreds of participants, engaged in door-to-door canvassing, and distributed flyers on busy streets. They highlighted concerns that the datacentre would strain the local power grid, increase energy rates, and contribute to noise pollution. A petition opposing the development quickly garnered nearly 5,000 signatures.
All campaign materials were produced in English, Chinese, and Spanish to effectively communicate with Monterey Park's diverse population, which is approximately two-thirds Asian and one-quarter Hispanic.
National Trend of Datacentre Opposition
The success in Monterey Park reflects a broader national movement against datacentre construction. According to research from Data Center Watch, local communities delayed or cancelled approximately $98 billion worth of projects between late March 2025 and June 2025. During this period, more than 50 active groups across 17 states targeted 30 projects, with two-thirds being halted.
Miquel Vila, lead analyst at Data Center Watch, noted that opposition is occurring in diverse communities across the United States. "There's no safe space for datacenters," Vila stated, emphasising that the movement has brought together unusual alliances, including environmentalists and conservative activists in various states.
Environmental and Economic Concerns
Opponents of the Monterey Park datacentre expressed particular concern about its potential environmental and public health impacts. The facility would have employed 14 on-site diesel generators, which researchers associate with air pollutants like nitrogen oxide, linked to respiratory illnesses including asthma and lung cancer.
A November Morning Consult poll found that a majority of voters support banning datacentre construction near their homes and believe AI datacentres contribute to rising electricity prices. This sentiment is echoed in communities nationwide, where residents worry about the facilities' substantial water and energy consumption.
Coalition Building and Future Challenges
Steven Kung, a co-founder of No Data Center Monterey Park, described the community's achievement as "like the third act of an Oscar-winning movie." The group's strategy involved building coalitions with various community organisations in the San Gabriel Valley area, including the Asian Youth Center and Montebello Teachers Association.
Andrew Yip, a community organiser with SGV Progressive Action, attributed the campaign's success to residents setting aside differences to rally against a development threatening their livelihoods. "This is about community members rising to the occasion to look out for one another," Yip remarked.
Despite the moratorium, the fight continues for Monterey Park organisers. City council members are considering placing the decision before voters on the November ballot, which would require sustained public education efforts. Organisers remain committed to engaging neighbours, gathering petition signatures, and attending council meetings to ensure long-term protection against unwanted datacentre development.
