California Data Center Intel

Recent California data center news

• Jun 9, 2026

  From Tail Risk to Design Baseline: How the Grid Is Adapting to Extreme Heat

  POWER (Sonal Patel) reports that system planners and grid operators are now treating extreme heat as an assumed operating condition rather than a tail risk.

  • Main announcement/action: POWER summarizes that system planners and reliability entities (notably NERC and FERC) and operators are treating extreme heat as a design baseline, citing metrics such as EIA projection of ~1,610 CDDs for 2026 (4% above 2025), NERC’s 2026 Summer Reliability Assessment (net internal demand up 1.3% to 790 GW, and >58 GW of new on-peak capacity including 16.4 GW solar, 14.7 GW batteries, 6.7 GW natural gas, 1.6 GW wind), and FERC’s forecast of $46.81/MWh average wholesale price for summer 2026. The piece catalogues operational changes (hourly ambient-adjusted transmission ratings, dynamic line ratings pilots, ADMS/DERMS deployments) and emergency interventions (DOE Section 202(c) orders covering roughly 4,400 MW of extended capacity service).
  • Background and details: The article documents drought risks (FERC: 62% of continental U.S. impacted; Lake Powell inflow forecast at 13% of average), potential loss of up to 4,500 MW of Colorado River hydropower as soon as August 2026, rapid data center load growth (from 44 GW in 2025 to 55 GW in 2026, ~25%), and operational timelines (PJM implemented AAR on March 4, 2026; SPP expects AAR by Sept. 1, 2026; MISO full compliance by Q2 2028).
• Jun 8, 2026

  Data center news: Detroit takes responsible approach to data centers, Benson says

  Detroit City Councilmember Scott Benson announced the council-approved moratorium resolution to build a stronger regulatory framework for data center development in Detroit.

  • Main announcement: The council-approved moratorium resolution created a stakeholder group (labor, business, sustainability advocates) to draft a zoning ordinance by end of 2026; Benson emphasized no increase in utility bills for residents and community-driven local control for development.
  • Additional details/background:GOP state Sen. Jim Runestad introduced bills for a one-year statewide moratorium (may not receive a committee hearing); Erin Brockovich launched a national interactive tracking map for operational/under-construction/proposed facilities; Google granted $250,000 to the Huron River Watershed Council while planning a 1.5-million-square-foot Michigan data center that will draw 2–3.65 million gallons daily from the Great Lakes Water Authority.
• Jun 8, 2026

  AT&T Asks FCC to Approve California Copper Retirement

  AT&T urged federal action to allow discontinuation of legacy copper voice service in California and to preempt state regulations.

  • Main announcement:AT&T asked FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and two aides to support federal approval to discontinue legacy voice service in California, seeking to preempt state regulations that would block the transition; this request is summarized in an ex parte filing (June 5) describing a June 3 meeting.
  • Background/details: The filing and meeting materials were submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and reported by Broadband Breakfast; the article references the specific June 3 meeting and the June 5 ex parte filing as the basis for the request.
• Jun 5, 2026

  Monterey Park Votes to Permanently Ban Data Centers

  Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC, a permanent citywide ban on data centers, on June 5, 2026.

  • Measure NDC passed with more than 86% of votes; the ban is permanent and cannot be overturned by city council, only by another public vote. This is reported as the first time in the U.S. that voters have used the ballot box to permanently block data center facilities.
  • The vote occurred in Monterey Park, a Los Angeles suburb; the article cites Ballotpedia and Broadband Breakfast as sources. The measure does not expire; the article provides no monetary figures, implementation timeline, or procedural details beyond the permanence and override mechanism.
• Jun 4, 2026

  Google Launches 1-GW-Plus Co-Located Data Center and Generation Complex in Texas Panhandle

  Google and Intersect have launched construction on the Meitner Energy Center, a co-located data center and generation complex in the Texas Panhandle (Gray and Roberts Counties) that will integrate more than 1 GW of wind, solar and battery storage with on-site gas-fired generation for reliability firming.

  • Main announcement: Google and Intersect began construction on the Meitner Energy Center in Gray and Roberts Counties, Texas, a co-located data center + generation complex designed to deliver more than 1 GW of wind/solar/battery with on-site gas firming; the Google data center will use air-cooling (no evaporative cooling) and Google is establishing the Caprock Workforce Hub (an 800-acre managed residential facility intended to house up to 3,500 workers) to support construction. The site’s power is intended to be provided majority from clean energy on Day One, with a minority share firmed by on-site gas; Google referenced its $10 million Texas Water Impact Fund in relation to water stewardship.
  • Background and other details: Alphabet closed its acquisition of Intersect in March 2026 for $4.75 billion in cash plus assumed debt; prior partnerships included a >$800 million funding round led by Google and TPG Rise Climate tied to a targeted $20 billion in renewable infrastructure through the decade. The article also cites Google’s broader $40 billion Texas investment commitment through 2027, prior and new PPAs (e.g., Clearway ~1.17 GW, TotalEnergies 1 GW, Sunraycer ~400 MW, Linea 500 MW), the Quantum project (640 MW solar / 1.3 GWh storage scheduled to start operations June 2026), and Google’s commitments such as training 1,700 electrical apprentices by 2030 and a $30 million Texas Energy Impact Fund (first recipients announced May 2026).
• Jun 4, 2026

  Infocast’s Transmission & Interconnection Summit 2026

  Troutman Pepper Locke has announced it will be a Gold Sponsor of Infocast’s Transmission & Interconnection Summit 2026 and will have partners moderating panels.

  • Main announcement: Troutman Pepper Locke is a Gold Sponsor of Infocast’s Transmission & Interconnection Summit 2026 (June 23–25) at the Hamilton Hotel, Washington, D.C.; the firm will have Partner Chris Jones moderating “Easing Transmission Challenges in the West – Impacts of New Reforms and Regional Collaboration” on June 24 at 11:00 a.m. ET, and Counsel Anne Dailey moderating “Cost Allocation & New Tariff Structures — Avoiding Rate Increases and Customer Blowback” on June 24 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

  • Background & details:Conference focus: grid impacts of unprecedented load growth and regulatory change, including the claim that new data centers alone are driving an estimated $1.1 trillion in transmission investment; agenda topics include CAISO’s EDAM, SPP’s WEIS, WECC-wide planning, WestTEC 10- and 20-year studies, lessons from SunZia, and FERC Order No. 1920 cost allocation processes.

• Jun 4, 2026

  Data center developers ousted from Monterey Park as voters approve permanent ban

  Monterey Park has permanently banned data centers via Measure NDC.

  • Measure NDC approved: More than 86% of voters approved a permanent ban on data centers in Monterey Park, codifying a moratorium in effect since late January; the ban bars any new computing facilities inside city limits and can only be overturned by another citywide vote. Key local facts: city population ~62,000, a proposed 250,000-square-foot data center by HMC Capital had its application withdrawn in April.
  • Context and background: The article documents broader regional and state-level resistance — mentions a massive Box Elder County project backed by investor Kevin O’Leary, states that have introduced moratoriums or bans (Georgia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont), and notes Maine’s legislature passed a statewide moratorium bill that was vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills.
• Jun 4, 2026

  Private Valley Fire Department Builds Response Model for Energy, Data Projects

  Rural Metro Fire Central Arizona has announced expansion into Southern Pinal County and is positioning itself as the specialized fire and EMS partner for utility-scale solar, BESS and hyperscale data centers.

  • Main announcement/action: Rural Metro Fire is expanding into Southern Pinal County in partnership with several Hyperscale Power Infrastructure companies and expects to announce later this year new fire department infrastructure — stations, apparatus and specialized response capability — purpose-built to serve hyperscale campuses and nearby residential communities. The organization is the preferred fire and EMS partner for Hyperscale Power Infrastructure developers in Pinal County, and offers fire suppression, paramedic EMS, vehicle and technical rescue, commercial fire inspections, plan reviews and pre-incident planning; developers can engage Rural Metro at the pre-development stage to integrate fire and EMS coverage into project timelines.

  • Background and supporting details: Arizona now ranks third in the nation in utility-scale energy storage capacity with 19.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of BESS installed as of 2025, while national BESS installations surpassed 57 GWh in 2025 (a 29% year-over-year increase), with Arizona among three states accounting for nearly three-quarters of that capacity. In December 2025, the San Tan Valley Town Council unanimously approved an exclusive fire services agreement covering the newly incorporated municipality’s roughly 100,000 residents. For project inquiries Rural Metro directs developers and operators to https://ruralmetrofire.com/arizona-industrial or phone 480.931.3089.

• Jun 3, 2026

  California City Approves First Voter-Enacted Data Center Ban

  Monterey Park has approved a voter-enacted prohibition on data centers (Measure NDC).

  • Measure NDC passed with roughly 86% support, amends the city’s land-use framework to prohibit data centers citywide unless voters later repeal the restriction; the ballot text cites protecting air quality, drinking water resources, public health, and utility rates.
  • Background: The vote followed opposition to a proposed 247,000-square-foot data center backed by Australian firm HMC StratCap planned on a 15.8-acre site in Saturn Business Park that would have required about 50 MW peak power; the developer withdrew the project in March after the city imposed and extended moratoriums and moved the permanent ban to the June ballot.
• Jun 3, 2026

  California City Approves First Voter-Enacted Data Center Ban

  Monterey Park voters approved Measure NDC, enacting a citywide prohibition on data centers by roughly 86% support.

  • Main action: The measure prohibits data centers citywide unless repealed by a subsequent citywide vote; it passed with ~86% support and was placed on the June ballot after the City Council imposed and extended a moratorium. The ballot language cites protection of air quality, drinking water resources, public health, and utility rates. The specific proposed project that sparked the fight was a 247,000-square-foot facility on a 15.8-acre site in Saturn Business Park, backed by Australian firm HMC StratCap, which would have been located less than 500 feet from the nearest home and required about 50 MW of peak power; the developer withdrew the project in March as opposition mounted.

  • Context and background: The council first approved a 45-day moratorium before advancing a permanent ban and opting for a ballot measure (argued to be harder to reverse than an ordinance). Local concerns included power demand, diesel backup generators, noise, air quality, water use, electricity costs, and property values. The vote reflects a broader national trend of organized local opposition to data center and AI infrastructure expansion, noted by commentators and industry representatives such as Schneider Electric, University of Texas law professor David Spence, and J.Gold Associates.