Desert Hot Springs Extends Moratorium on New Data Centers

The Desert Hot Springs City Council is pressing pause on new data center development for up to two years.

According to a city staff report, council members voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the city's temporary moratorium on new data centers and other high-intensity computing facilities.

The action prevents the city from accepting, processing or approving permits, licenses and development applications for new projects while staff continues to study the potential impacts of the industry.

City leaders say additional time is needed to evaluate issues including infrastructure demands, energy consumption, water use and long-term community impacts before determining how future projects should be regulated.

The move comes as communities across the Coachella Valley and California continue to weigh the economic benefits of data centers against concerns over utilities, land use and environmental impacts.