Desert Hot Springs hits pause on data centers, joining a Coachella Valley wave
Garrett Hottle
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) Desert Hot Springs is the latest Coachella Valley city to slam the brakes on data centers.
The City Council approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center development Tuesday night, temporarily blocking any such project while city staff studies the impact on water, power and the surrounding desert.
The move puts Desert Hot Springs in step with a fast-spreading backlash. In a roughly two-week span this month, Coachella, Indio, the city of Imperial and Imperial County all paused data centers. Coachella went further, voting June 4 to terminate its agreement with the developer behind a proposed technology campus and directing staff to draft a permanent ban.
Under California law, urgency moratoriums like this one start at 45 days and can be extended up to roughly two years while a city writes permanent rules.
The concern driving the wave is resources. Large warehouses of servers that power artificial intelligence and cloud computing can draw more than a million gallons of water a day in hot weather and consume enormous amounts of electricity. In a desert that routinely tops 110 degrees, that has alarmed residents who packed months of meetings in neighboring Coachella.
And the worry here isn’t just local. A Gallup survey this spring found 71% of Americans don’t want a data center built near them 48% strongly opposed, just 27% in favor. It was the first time Gallup had even asked the question.
The pushback is also moving fast. The U.S. Data Center Moratorium Tracker, counted eight efforts to restrict data centers a year ago. Today there’s more than 70.
A separate group, Data Center Watch, also found at least 75 projects worth roughly $130 billion were blocked or delayed across the country in just the first three months of 2026
The Desert Hot Springs vote also comes amid tension. On June 10, the city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved the Snider Logistic Center – a roughly 1 million-square-foot warehouse on about 64 acres projected to employ nearly 1,000 people despite some resident objections about truck traffic, air quality and water use.
Commissioners specified the project will not be a data center.
Below is a statement released from the City of Desert Hot Springs to city residents regarding Tuesday’s vote to approve a 45-dy moratorium on data centers.
Dear Desert Hot Springs Residents,
At last night’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data centers, which went into effect immediately.
The City Council also directed staff to return on July 7 with an extension for two years.
Their action was guided by City’s Strategic Plan— which is the roadmap that directs our priorities, investments, and long-term vision for the future.
We want to thank everyone who attended last night’s meeting. Whether you spoke, asked questions, shared your perspective, or simply took the time to be present, your involvement matters. It takes courage to step up to the podium and make your voice heard, and we appreciate the passion residents continue to show for our city.
Many of you spoke about the positive momentum taking place throughout Desert Hot Springs. We want you to know that this progress is not accidental.
The City’s Strategic Plan is more than a document. It is the City Council’s vision for our future, built with community input, and a commitment to delivering results for the people of Desert Hot Springs.
From new parks and public safety investments to infrastructure improvements, economic development opportunities, and public art that reflects the pride of our city, the positive changes residents are seeing today are rooted in that vision.
These improvements are the result of a city with a plan and a commitment to see it through.
We invite residents to review the City’s Strategic Plan, stay engaged, and continue helping shape the future of Desert Hot Springs.