Los Angeles County Grapples with Data Center Bans Ahead of November Elections The debate over data center construction has become a central issue in Los Angeles County, with several cities putting bans on the ballot. From measure DB in Alhambra to the banning initiatives in Monterey Park, activists and local officials are weighing the economic benefits of data center infrastructure against environmental and community concerns. The coming November vote will decide whether these large facilities can take root in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Prime Data Center on South Santa Fe Avenue in Vernon represents a new wave of large scale technology infrastructure projects that has grabbed civic attention across Los Angeles County. The 243,000 square foot, 33 megawatt facility opened in 2024 and is now being photographed in 2026, according to a photo by Dean Musgrove of the Los Angeles Daily News. While the data center itself is a purely technical construct, its presence has become a flashpoint in local politics, especially as the county approaches the November election.Data Center Debate Intensifies LocallyIn cities such as Alhambra and Monterey Park, residents and activists have debated whether to allow or ban the construction of these large "data center warehouses" and the adjacent battery energy storage systems that often accompany them. The debate has taken on a new dimension with the passing of Measure DB in July.The Alhambra City Council voted to place Measure DB on the Nov 3 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to permanently codify an existing ordinance that bans data centers from the city. City Manager Jessica Binnquist explained that while the ban already existed within the city's ordinance code, Measure DB would allow voters to make the ban a public vote and defeat a future reversal unless the public again chose to repeal it.This measure came as part of a broader conversation about responsible development, long‑term investments in schools, infrastructure, public spaces and environmental safety. A similar narrative played out in Monterey Park when developer HMC StratCap had proposed a data center. A grassroots campaign, city ordinances, and a city council moratorium halted the project, sparking a successful referendum that prevented the center from being built.Activists Push Bans Across San Gabriel ValleyThe success of Monterey Park's data center ballot initiative has inspired activists across the San Gabriel Valley to push for similar measures in other cities. Amy J. Wong, known for her work with SGV Progressive Action, has been campaigning to get data center bans on the ballot in Montebello, El Monte, Baldwin Park and Alhambra.Another local politician, Leslie Garcia of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, is running for West Covina City Council District 2 after joining the No Data Center San Gabriel Valley coalition that opposes large‑scale data centers and battery energy storage systems. The issue is not only of local interest; statewide policy and federal regulations also play a role.In February, the City of Industry's City Council approved the Marici Battery Energy Storage System on Gale Avenue, a decision that has already raised concerns about whether permitting a battery facility leads to the eventual construction of an associated data center. Critics in Walnut and other neighboring communities have responded by running for council seats to oppose what they see as a regional strategy for expanding the "big tech" infrastructure footprint.Safety Concerns Over Battery InfrastructureThe fire that damaged two 250‑kilowatt battery units in an indoor‑outdoor facility supporting a 2‑megawatt solar farm further underscores the potential environmental and safety concerns tied to these large energy projects. Overall, the data center debate in Los Angeles County illustrates the growing conflict between the economic incentives of large technology companies and the priorities of local residents who worry about environmental impact, infrastructure strain and quality of life.In the months leading up to Nov 3, the ballots in several cities will answer whether these facilities are welcomed or rejected, making these measures a key indicator of how the county balances high‑tech growth with community wellbeing.