Coachella Opens Public Survey on Proposed AI Data Center After Heated Town Hall

Residents who missed Monday's contentious town hall over a proposed AI data center in Coachella now have another way to make their voices heard. The city is asking community members to fill out a survey on the proposed Coachella Valley Technology Campus, covering concerns about water use, air quality, utility rates, and whether the city has been transparent enough throughout the process.

You can find that survey in English and Spanish, the deadline is this Monday, May 18th, at 6 p.m.

Monday's meeting drew a crowd and quickly grew tense, with some residents removed after disrupting the presentation. The debate centers on a plan by Stronghold Power Systems to build six data center buildings across 240 acres on the city's eastern edge, near Fillmore Street and 52nd Avenue. The campus would total roughly 3 million square feet and operate between 270 and 300 megawatts of capacity, with potential to expand to 450 acres. Developers say the project would generate $21 million in annual revenue and create hundreds of local jobs.

Residents aren't convinced the benefits outweigh the risks. Among the loudest concerns are water use, energy demand, and air quality. Though Stronghold claims the facility would use about 40% less water than the agricultural operations currently on the site, many residents fear any additional strain on an already drying Colorado River. The site sits about two miles from Valle del Sol Elementary School. Residents have also raised concerns that the project's growing energy needs could drive up electricity rates for the surrounding community.

The project's framing has drawn scrutiny, too. Coachella Mayor Dr. Frank Figueroa has said he is seeking clarity on specific language buried in the development agreements, including the term "Municipal Utility Center," which would allow for importing energy from outside the area. The rebranding of the project as a "Technology Campus" has left both residents and officials feeling that the proposal's full scope has been obscured.

The controversy has been compounded by the project's political backdrop. Campaign finance records show Stronghold Power previously donated to the 2022 mayoral campaign of former Mayor Steven Hernandez, who earlier this year pleaded guilty to felony conflict of interest charges.

The project still requires a full environmental impact report before any final approval can move forward.