Residents of Pittsburg, California, are voicing strong opposition to the proposed construction of a 76-acre data center campus, known as Perseus, on the site of a former golf course. Critics argue that local officials misrepresented the project as a technology park, downplaying its environmental impact and the limited long-term job creation.
AVAIO Digital's proposed 99-megawatt facility, located about 35 miles outside San Francisco, has drawn the ire of community members concerned about noise pollution, water usage, and potential disruption to daily life. James Camoza, a resident living four miles from the proposed site, expressed frustration with the city council's handling of the project, stating, "The transparency and knowledge from city council has been horrifying. They either do not know or do not care how this hurts communities."
Camozaclaims the project was presented as a venture promising significant economic growth, which he contends is not the case for a data center, citing only about 20 long-term job opportunities compared to the construction phase. Concerns also extend to the substantial water resources data centers require for cooling. While AVAIO has stated it will use recycled water, residents remain skeptical about its long-term viability, especially if the facility expands. Data centers can consume millions of gallons of water daily, raising alarms about freshwater supply, particularly in a region like the East Bay.
Amhari Perkins, a mother of two who lives just over a mile from the proposed site, launched a Change.org petition to halt the construction, which has garnered over 26,000 signatures. Perkins learned about the project through her community outreach, not official channels, and worries about air and noise pollution. She is particularly concerned about the potential impact on her autistic son and the broader community, including nearby schools.
The resistance in Pittsburg echoes a growing national trend of opposition to data centers near residential areas. New York has implemented a statewide moratorium on permits for large-scale data centers over 50 megawatts, and California saw Monterey Park prohibit new data center construction with an 85 percent voter approval. Port Washington, Wisconsin, was the first municipality to vote to restrict future data centers.
However, California Governor Gavin Newsom has characterized such decisions as a "local planning decision." He noted that California has historically seen more moderately sized data centers, differentiating them from the "hyperscale" facilities now being proposed.
Wannie Park, founder of PADO AI, a company specializing in data center energy management, advised that developers must consider community impact. "As AI demand skyrockets, developers are realizing that ignoring local concerns around power grid strain, rising electricity costs, and resource allocation leads directly to regulatory roadblocks and public pushback," Park stated. He emphasized the need for early community engagement, transparency, and demonstrable local benefits to secure public acceptance. Park also noted that data centers require proximity to power grids, network connectivity, and water sources, making relocation away from populated areas unfeasible. "Developers can’t simply run away from populated areas – they have to learn to be better neighbors where the power and fiber already exist," he concluded.
According to Pew Research, there are approximately 4,600 data centers operating in the U.S., with thousands more planned. Virginia leads with 641 facilities, followed by Texas (510) and California (294).