Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez rescinds letter of support for proposed data center

Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez has rescinded a letter of support he previously sent to Stronghold Power regarding a proposed data center project in Coachella.

The letter, originally sent in March, has recently been circulating on social media, drawing criticism from residents concerned about the project’s potential impact on the community. In the letter, Supervisor Perez had originally stated in part that "the benefits of this project extend well beyond the municipal boundaries of Coachella. Construction of the data center campus will generate skilled construction employment, regional contracting opportunities and increased economic activity across the Coachella Valley."

The letter also reads "Based on current city and project estimates, the project is expected to generate approximately $50 million in new revenue for the city through utility operations, local taxes, fees and associated economic activity...Taken together, the Coachella Municipal Utility and the Coachella Data Center campus represent a rare opportunity to align economic development, infrastructure investment, energy innovation and resource conservation."

In a new statement to NBC Palm Springs, Perez said he is taking back his support and acknowledged the concerns raised by residents. The statement reads: "The project needs a lot of work, such as an environmental impact report and a thorough CEQA process, as well as the necessary community input. Not to mention concerns about water and electricity. As a result, Supervisor Perez has rescinded the letter through the developer and city manager who both took action to withdraw the letter."

Perez's withdrawal of support comes after a heated town hall meeting on Monday in Coachella, where residents expressed their frustrations and concerns surrounding the project - which would be built on more than 400 acres of land in Coachella - near Avenue 52 and Fillmore Street.