Judge Orders Environmental Review for Imperial County Data Center

Imperial County Superior Court Judge L. Brooks Anderholt tentatively ruled that Imperial County must conduct a full environmental review before proceeding with a proposed 330 MW data center. The project, developed by Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC, includes a 950,000-square-foot facility, a 330 MW substation, an 862 MWh battery energy storage system, and 132 natural gas generators.

The court found that the Government of Imperial County improperly relied on a 2017 environmental review that did not address the specific infrastructure of the current proposal. Judge Anderholt rejected the county's argument that the approvals were ministerial, ruling that the various project components constitute one cohesive operation.

The required Environmental Impact Report must now evaluate cumulative impacts on air quality, water supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and grid reliability. The City of Imperial, which challenged the approvals due to the project's proximity to residents, expressed support for the decision. City Manager Dennis Morita stated the city is elated with the court's tentative ruling.