On September 15, 2026, West Covina officials passed a unanimous resolution to block large-scale data centers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). This decision aims to safeguard the city's water supply and mitigate fire risks.
Following Monterey Park's Measure NDC precedent
The resolution passed in West Covina is part of a growing regional movement within the San Gabriel Valley. As the source reported, this trend was ignited by Monterey Park’s historic Measure NDC, which established California's first ban on data center development in July of last year. Following that precedent, the city of Alhambra also adopted similar restrictions just a few weeks later.
By joining this movement, West Covina is attempting to create a unified front against the rapid expansion of high-computing facilities. This regional push suggests that municipalities are increasingly wary of the massive infrastructure required to support the digital economy, even as federal leaders champion the industry's growth.
Five fires in five months spark BESS safety alarms
Councilmember Ollie Cantos, the primary author of the resolution, grounded the city's opposition in immediate public safety concerns. Cantos specifically pointed to the high risk associated with industrial battery systems, noting that West Covina has already experienced five fires over the last five months. He argued that the potential danger posed by BESS facilities to the local community is unacceptably high.
During the meeting, local candidate Leslie Garcia, who is running for West Covina City Council District 2, urged the council to move toward a permanent ban. Garcia, an advocate against data center development in the San Gabriel Valley, argued that a "forever ban" would hold corporations accountable and ensure the region prioritizes people over profit .
The clash between Trump's "oil" vision and local water limits
The decision highlights a growing friction between federal economic optimism and local resource management. While President Donald Trump has characterized data centers as "the oil of the next 20 , 25 years," West Covina's leadership is prioritizing the immediate needs of its residents. The council's stance underscores a belief that the costs of digital growth should not be borne by local public services.
Councilmember Tony Wu echoed these concerns, stating that the expansion of these facilities would drive up costs and pose threats to public safety. according to the report,Wu shared these concerns in an email to residents, specifically flagging the high energy and water consumption of data centers as a primary reason for the city's opposition.
The legal hunt for a binding moratorium
While the resolution is a strong statement of intent, the exact mechanism for enforcement remains unverified. The council has tasked city staff with identifying specific local ordinances or state regulations that could be amended to prevent these developments from moving forward. The city is currently investigating whether it can legislate a formal moratorium similar to those seen in Monterey Park and Alhambra.
Several questions remain regarding the long-term efficacy of this move. It is currently unknown if the city can successfully navigate state-level regulations to maintain a permanent ban, or if developers will find legal loopholes. Furthermore, Councilmember Cantos noted that a data center built in nearby Rowland Heights would still impact West Covina residents, raising questions about how effective local bans can be against regional industrial shifts.
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