Data center moratorium

Urged the council to bring back the data center moratorium — or put it on the ballot — saying residents feel dismissed and worried about health, water, and utility costs.

A lifelong Brawley resident of 1228 Ivy Street who asked the council to bring the 45-day data center moratorium back for another vote, warning Brawley could become the data center epicenter of the Imperial Valley.

A 74-year-old disabled combat veteran who recalled a 1978 industrial explosion and cancer deaths on Brawley's east side, warning that lithium battery fires at data centers couldn't be extinguished with local water and that water rates burden people on Social Security.

Objected to the June 2 decision recalling the data center moratorium, said residents aren't being heard, and asked that the question go to a public vote.

Speaking for IBEW Local 569's 3,700 electricians, she supported using the moratorium moment to set community-driven regulations, local hiring, and safety standards for data center development.

A land-use consultant warned the moratorium targets all data centers everywhere, would kill Lithium Valley's energy demand, and urged the Council to withdraw the moratorium and pursue development guidelines instead.

Thanked the council for considering the moratorium and mentioned approving Coachella's five-year version, but was redirected to wait for the agenda item.

El Centro resident critical of the Imperial data center project, describing behind-the-scenes emails and ongoing lawsuits, and praising Brawley's transparency.

Former Brawley resident urging support for the moratorium, citing IID grid reliability, water uncertainty, and stagnant growth concerns.

El Centro resident involved in data center lawsuits urged a strong urgency ordinance covering AI data centers, crypto mining, BESS, and sphere-of-influence projects.

Imperial resident citing the 17-day Otay Mesa battery storage fire to argue the city should pause and build fire safety capacity before entertaining projects.

Lifelong resident opposing the moratorium, citing a county analysis of a $9 billion project with 1,688 construction jobs, $481 million in local revenue, and urging direction to staff instead.

Lifelong Brawley resident and former contracts analyst supporting the moratorium, suggesting even two years to sort out zoning.

Returned to thank the council for considering the moratorium, saying a year isn't long, and criticized past city decisions like the empty mini-storage building.

Fourth-generation Brawley farmer opposing any moratorium, calling it a black flag that kills investment and urging a case-by-case approach.

Recounted suffering burns from a lithium battery explosion and argued one year isn't enough, urging two years given local asthma and water constraints.

Called for an open-door process, stakeholder engagement, transparency from developers, and supported a five-year moratorium.

Supported the moratorium, citing water and electricity consumption, PM2.5 risk, utility priority contracts, and pushing back on budget-based arguments.

Calexico resident who thanked the council for putting the item on the agenda and noted residents fear retaliation when speaking.

Challenged the claim that submitting papers makes documents public, citing Public Records Act trade-secret exemptions, and encouraged counsel review of the NDA question.

Brawley Class of '94 resident in his first council comment, supporting the moratorium and saying the town needs to know what it's getting into.

Echoed that whatever the vote, the council still owes the community the highest standards and protections, noting a county ordinance is coming June 2.