Local & Community
Coachella City Council Floats Moratorium on Data Centers as Community Opposition Grows
The Coachella City Council is considering a moratorium on data centers in the city, a significant shift that comes after hundreds of residents packed council chambers last night to protest a proposed AI data center campus backed by Stronghold Power Systems.
Council members floated the idea during Wednesday night's meeting and are now planning a special meeting to discuss the moratorium, consider halting the data center proposal, and weigh terminating the Municipal Utility Development Agreement the city signed with Stronghold in February. The council could vote on the moratorium as soon as next week. The city is also moving forward with retaining outside legal counsel to independently review that contract.
The proposed development, which would place six data centers on more than 400 acres near Avenue 52 and Fillmore Street, has drawn opposition from residents across the Coachella Valley. If built, it would be among the largest data center developments in California. Wednesday's meeting drew crowds from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and beyond, with many joining virtually through Zoom after running out of room inside chambers.
The scene grew tense when Stronghold Power representatives addressed the council, prompting Riverside County sheriff's deputies to be called in for backup. Deputies later escorted company representatives out through a back exit for their safety. No arrests were made.
Residents raised concerns about water usage, air quality, energy demands, and what some described as the city using the project to address its own financial problems. Several attendees signed petitions urging the council to ban data centers in Coachella altogether.
Stronghold has defended the proposal, saying it would bring jobs, infrastructure improvements, and affordable housing to the region, and that the company is not asking for the environmental review process to be skipped or fast-tracked. No environmental impact report has been started and no formal project approval has been granted.
A date for the special meeting has not yet been announced.
By: NBC Palm Springs
May 28, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
“NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY”: Residents gathered at Palm Springs City Hall for the “No Kings: Vote Early” event, sharing what brought them out and why making their voices heard matters. #NoKings #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #VoteEarly #civicengagement
Meet Gavin, aka “Banana Boy”! The Coachella Valley Firebirds fan favorite stopped by Very Caliente to share how his love of Fortnite inspired his iconic Peely costume — and his signature dance to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” on the jumbotron. And yes, we finally got to see the face behind the banana! #NBCPalmSprings #VeryCaliente #CVFirebirds #BananaBoy #CoachellaValley
The #NorteFire is spreading near San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Fire crews are working to contain the blaze as conditions develop. Stay tuned to NBC Palm Springs for updates. #NorteFire #SouthernCalifornia #Wildfire #SanJuanCapistrano SanClemente NBCPalmSprings
Strong winds are expected across Southern California today, with speeds reaching 25 to 35 mph. Officials warn of possible falling trees, downed power lines and hazardous driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles. Southern California Edison says emergency crews will be on standby for possible power outages. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911. #SouthernCalifornia #CoachellaValley #WindAdvisory #PowerOutage #SouthernCaliforniaEdison NBCPalmSprings
Sordid Lives is returning to Palm Canyon Theater October 30 through November 15! Playwright Del Shores joins NBC Palm Springs’ Tod Macofsky to talk about the beloved production and its long history in the Coachella Valley. Want to see the show? NBC Palm Springs is giving away two tickets! Enter on the promotions page at NBCPalmSprings.com. #SordidLives #DelShores #PalmCanyonTheater #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley DesertEntertainment NBCPalmSprings
🗣️ NO KINGS DEMONSTRATIONS ARE COMING BACK TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY! Thousands of demonstrations are planned nationwide Saturday, including FIVE right here in the Valley. Organizers say the goal is to help eligible voters prepare for the polls and know their rights. 📍 Events are planned in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Indio. Will you be hitting the streets this weekend? 👀 #NoKings #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Indio #CaliforniaNews
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. No Kings protests?
Now Open! The new Agua Caliente gas station on Highway 111 in Cathedral City is officially open. A new stop for drivers in the Coachella Valley. Have you checked it out yet? #CathedralCity #AguaCaliente #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprin
A fire broke out Thursday morning at the KESQ News Channel 3 station in Thousand Palms, disrupting its morning broadcast. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire has been extinguished, and restoration efforts are underway. Station leaders told NBC Palm Springs they planned to return to the air at noon. We’re glad everyone is safe. We’ll share updates as more information becomes available. #ThousandPalms #KESQ #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
🚨 FIRE AT KESQ WHILE ON AIR! A fire broke out inside the KESQ news station in Thousand Palms around 5 a.m. this morning, forcing the station off the air. 🔥 The fire started in an equipment room where cameras and batteries are stored. Thankfully, NO ONE WAS INJURED. The cause and extent of the damage remain unknown as the station works to get back on air. ❤️🩹 #KESQ #ThousandPalms #BreakingNews #CoachellaValley