SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) voted this week in support of legislation aimed at increasing transparency and oversight surrounding the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data center development across California.
As conversations surrounding data center development continue across California, Gonzalez emphasized that communities are demanding more answers about the long-term impacts these facilities could have on public health, infrastructure, energy consumption, water usage, and local ratepayers.
“People across our communities from Coachella to Imperial are asking important and valid questions,” said Assemblyman Gonzalez. “They want transparency. They want accountability. And they want to know these projects will not negatively impact their quality of life, public safety, or access to resources. I support responsible economic development, but we also have a duty to ensure our communities are protected and fully informed.”
Gonzalez voted in support of the following legislation:
- AB 1577 (Bauer-Kahan) – Requires data centers to submit monthly reports, following energization, to the Energy Commission (CEC) on facility electricity use, total energy consumption, sound levels, and information on other specified topics. Requires the CEC to post this information online. Requires data center project applicants to submit information on energy use to permitting agencies.
- AB 2469 (Papan) – Prohibits a local agency from permitting any data center unless the data center project provides the local agency with detailed information regarding the data center’s water use and meets other requirements related to workforce and infrastructure for the data center. Requires any data center to assume the full cost of water improvements as determined by the Department of Water Resources or the applicable water supplier.
- AB 2619 (Papan) – Requires data center developers to provide information on water use to water suppliers and local governments prior to being issued a business license and upon renewal of a business license and requires urban water suppliers to consider data center demand in water shortage planning. Requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to develop guidelines and best practices for the developing and emerging needs of the data center industry and to require data center technology in California to be consistent with urban water use objectives.
- AB 2383 (Zbur) – Requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to create a separate classification and rate schedule for large energy use facilities (LEUF), which includes data centers. Require rate schedules for LEUFs to avoid shifting costs to non-large energy users. Requires electric utilities and LEUFs to enter into contracts that covers the cost of service and cost of energizing the facility.
Assemblyman Gonzalez emphasized that while innovation and economic growth are important, California must balance those goals with transparency, environmental responsibility, and protecting working families.
“For me, this is about balance,” Gonzalez added. “Supporting jobs and investment while making sure we are not putting our communities at risk. That is exactly what the people of the 36th Assembly District sent me to Sacramento to do.”
To view Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez’s remarks on the Assembly Floor regarding data centers, click HERE.
###