Local & Community
Coachella Could Extend Its Data Center Ban Through Mid-2027
Coachella's city council decides tonight whether to keep its ban on new data centers going for almost another year. If council members advise for it, the extension would run through June 4th, 2027.
The council put the original ban in place last month after residents packed city hall to oppose Stronghold Power's proposed "Coachella Valley Technology Campus," a large data center planned for the city's eastern side. That same night, the council also cut ties with Stronghold's utility deal, a move that killed a planned power center for that part of the city.
That first ban was only ever meant to last 45 days, and it runs out July 19th. Tonight's vote would tack on 10 months and 15 days, giving city staff more time to finish writing a permanent ban before the temporary one expires.
City staff highlighted a series of risks involved with current data centers. Staff pointed to how much power these facilities pull, noting a single AI data center can use as much electricity as 100,000 homes, and some projections put data centers at 12% of the country's electricity use by 2028. Water is also a concern in the desert, where staff say AI-related data centers nationwide could need up to 32 billion gallons a year by 2028, adding pressure to a region already dealing with drought. Staff also flagged noise from cooling systems and backup generators, saying residents living near data centers elsewhere have reported sleep problems and headaches, along with air pollution from the diesel generators some facilities rely on.
Another reason the city is discussing extending the ban is to give staff time to update the city's zoning codes. The current codes were written before data centers became commonplace and don't account for the amount of power, water, and land use they require, according to the staff report.
Financially, the city says extending the ban itself won't cost taxpayers anything.
Council has two options tonight. Option A is to advise for the extension, keeping the ban in place through June 2027 while staff finishes the permanent rules, something that requires a four-fifths vote since it's an urgency ordinance. Option B is to let the ban lapse July 19th, which would open the door to new data center applications while the city is still working things out. Staff is encouraging the council to pick Option A.
The extension isn't the end of this. City staff are already drafting a separate ordinance that would ban data centers permanently, and that proposal goes before the Planning Commission July 18th, then back to the city council for a first reading on August 12th.
Tonight's meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Coachella City Hall.
By: Harrison Bluto
July 8, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
After a car drove through a walkway, damaging Bill’s Pizza, the restaurant appears to have begun repairs and is still open the following day. The neighboring store, Gallivant was also damaged and is closed until Monday. The store has a gofundme page opened for them by a neighboring bookstore to support the cost of the damages. NBC Palm Springs is following the effects of this accident and what this means to the Palm Springs community. #billspizza #palmsprings #continuingcoverage #localnews #coachellavalley
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are using bioengineered baker's yeast to break down plastic into ingredients for cookies.
Camden, Arkansas, is the unlikely hub of US missile manufacturing after years of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have drained the country's arsenal. But the Trump administration's push to scale up defense production is colliding with the limits of the small, rural town.
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will 1) Devin Session with the diving TD, 2) Mason Flores with the dot on the run, 3) Reese Johnson with the clutch FG, 4) Kaylaun Smith running over defenders, or 5) Joshua Perez with the TD throw. #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
🏒🔥 LET’S HEAR FROM TIM O’BRIEN! We’re kicking off Coachella Valley Firebirds Opening Night and catching up with Tim O’Brien! Hear what he has to say as the Firebirds get ready to hit the ice for another exciting season. 🏒🔥 #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #Firebirds #OpeningNight #Hockey #CoachellaValley PalmSprings CVFirebirds
SHARE this reel to help find ‘The Fab 5’ a home! 🐶🤍 #therogginreport #palmsprings #dogrescue #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Take a moment to know the warning signs, schedule your mammogram, and talk with your doctor about the screening schedule that’s right for you. Early detection can make a difference. 💗 #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #Mammogram #EarlyDetection #BreastHealth CoachellaValley DAPHealth
🎬 FREE MOVIE TICKETS! 🍿❤️ Our Manny the Movie Guy is here with a chance to see the upcoming screening of “Love of Your Life” — FREE! 📅 This Tuesday 📍 Mary Pickford Theatre — Cathedral City Want to see the movie before everyone else? Manny has the tickets! 🎟️ Watch for details on how you can enter and score your FREE tickets! #MannyTheMovieGuy #LoveOfYourLife #FreeTickets #MovieScreening #CathedralCity CoachellaValley MaryPickford NBCPalmSprings
🚨 SB 1379 is officially law, separating the Riverside County Sheriffs department and the coroners offices effective July 2027. @maria_nvtv spoke with Sheriff Chad Bianco and a local mom, and both spoke on what this means to them. Be sure to go to nbcpalmsprings.com to see the full report #SB1379 #RiversideCounty #CaliforniaPolitics #ChadBianco #incustodydeaths
It’s time for Season 5!! Fuego stopped by the studio today with a message! Coachella Valley Firebirds season opener this Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. — tickets at CVFIREBIRDS.COM