Data center opposition

Objected to speakers being removed from chambers and urged the council to stop the project, saying human lives matter more than any lawsuit or AI bubble.

A resident since 1980, she said the data center has derailed her retirement plans and urged the council to admit a mistake and ban it permanently.

Asked what it would take for the council to listen, citing 92-96 dB noise next to a middle school.

Lifelong resident with economics degrees argued the data center brings only short-term construction jobs, no long-term benefits; lives across from the site.

Cited the facility's 99-megawatt draw — enough to power the city more than three times over — and potential 500-megawatt expansion and health impacts.

Lifelong resident said data centers strain water and power, create few permanent jobs, and occupy land better used for housing and community development.

Requested a two-year moratorium on phases 2 and 3 and a citizen committee to oversee wildlife inspections and the $750,000 community grant; cited a 12,000-signature petition.

40-year resident called the project a waste of Pittsburg space and worried about long-term water and power costs hitting her bills and taxes.

Pittsburg High '87 alum said the process lacked transparency, compared it to Oakley rejecting a similar project, and cited noise and utility bill impacts.

Nearby resident raised wildfire risk given the region's extreme climate and said the land could serve better community uses.

22-year resident and West Pittsburg community activist urged continued engagement and asked that the item be agendized.

Started the community petition after learning of the project from a Councilmember Kobata Facebook post; asked for transparent communication and meaningful engagement.

Monument Impact organizer echoed moratorium demands and pushed for rent control, just cause, and a second high school as priorities.

Monument Impact intern demanded a non-elected community advisory council with monthly environmental reporting and a lowering of the annual rent increase cap from 10% to 3%.

Software engineer challenged the biodiesel 'renewable' claim, noting it produces more nitrogen oxides, and questioned why the item wasn't on the agenda.

PHS teacher noted not one senior's business project proposed a data center — students wanted community-serving spaces instead.

East County NAACP president criticized the council's transparency and cited research on data centers' health impacts.

Cited the 12,700-signature petition, 58,000 gallons/day water use, and fire risk — noting his own home nearly burned two years ago.

Martinez Indivisible member warned about water pressure loss during fires and AI's water footprint.

Parent of a one-year-old asked the council to delay the project indefinitely until concerns are addressed and the public has meaningful participation.

Insurance worker warned homeowners insurance will get harder to obtain and demanded the council 'take this back.'

30-year resident questioned NDAs, tax abatements, first responder readiness for battery fires, road damage costs and blackout risk.

Spoke in Spanish and English as DIálogo committee president, 23-year resident; said the project near the junior high brings contamination risks and no real local jobs.

East County NAACP Youth Council president questioned the need for another data center and pledged to keep speaking out.

Pittsburg Education Association president, representing 600 educators, asked the council to oppose the AI center citing mass surveillance of students.

Native resident and youth worker demanded an immediate moratorium and questioned air-cooling claims in 100-degree summers and e-waste from yearly equipment upgrades.

15-year-old first-time activist said the data center drains resources from community centers, local business and a long-requested skate park.

PUSD employee of 20 years and PHHS grad said the community does not want the data center and the council should answer questions face-to-face, not via FAQ.

Family nurse practitioner at the county health center demanded a ban on data centers, citing utility bills, pollution and climate impacts.

PHS and Stanford alum and teacher questioned whether the fast-tracked process involved improper influence and criticized AI's societal harms.

Lifelong resident who voted for named council members asked them to reconsider.

Longtime affordable-housing advocate and cancer survivor, with family cancer diagnoses, angrily urged the council to reject the project.

66-year resident who lives 400 yards from the golf course spoke emotionally about losing trails, wildlife and peace of mind.