Section
Energy & Infrastructure
The data centers proposed across the Valley, the power and water they would need, the local moratoriums and bans, and AI on roads and the grid.
State of play
Updated Thursday, November 5, 2026. An AI-written summary of the articles it cites. How we report
- Data center pauses are spreading across the northern Valley. San Joaquin County approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center land approvals on Oct. 7, after supervisors ordered a study. Patterson passed its own 45-day pause in July, and Riverbank paused proposals in September. San Joaquin County pauses new data centers as Nevada fight heats up · AI data center backlash grows; Modesto and Fresno set early guardrails · Patterson, Riverbank hit pause as Valley experts weigh data centers’ tradeoffs · Study: AI buildout biggest U.S. economic bet; Valley counties brace
- Fresno's City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 3 to start a 10-year ban on AI and cloud data centers, backed by Mayor Jerry Dyer. The Airport Land Use Commission and Planning Commission must review it before a final council vote. San Joaquin County pauses new data centers as Nevada fight heats up · AI data center backlash grows; Modesto and Fresno set early guardrails · Fresno council votes 7-0 to start 10-year ban on AI data centers
- Kern County is still drawing large proposals, including a 275 MW campus at Elk Hills near Bakersfield and a separate 99 MW project. San Joaquin County pauses new data centers as Nevada fight heats up · Study: AI buildout biggest U.S. economic bet; Valley counties brace
- Utilities and analysts are focused on costs. The Modesto Irrigation District discussed charging data centers triple its standard power rate. Stanislaus State experts say cities must quantify water, power and long-term jobs, and a Little Hoover Commission report flagged who pays for grid upgrades. AI data center backlash grows; Modesto and Fresno set early guardrails · Patterson, Riverbank hit pause as Valley experts weigh data centers’ tradeoffs
Latest in Energy & Infrastructure
San Joaquin County pauses new data centers as Nevada fight heats up
Oct 15, 2026
An AP report on Nevada’s federal-land data centers lands close to home. San Joaquin freezes approvals while Fresno weighs a ban and Kern projects queue up.
AI data center backlash grows; Modesto and Fresno set early guardrails
Oct 6, 2026
National fights over AI data centers are reaching the Valley. MID floated premium rates for big users, Fresno says data centers aren’t allowed under current zoning.
Patterson, Riverbank hit pause as Valley experts weigh data centers’ tradeoffs
Oct 2, 2026
Stanislaus State professors lay out the water, power and jobs math behind AI data centers as Patterson and Riverbank pause proposals.
Study: AI buildout biggest U.S. economic bet; Valley counties brace
Sep 26, 2026
A Brookings paper pegs AI-related spending at $10.3 trillion through 2032 and flags financing risks. Kern has two big data-center proposals while San Joaquin County weighs new rules.
Fresno council votes 7-0 to start 10-year ban on AI data centers
Sep 6, 2026
The City Council directed staff to draft a code change barring AI and cloud data centers for a decade, with Mayor Jerry Dyer’s support.
Dyer backs 10-year Fresno ban on AI data centers; council takes up plan
Sep 4, 2026
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is co-sponsoring Councilmember Nick Richardson’s push to write a 10‑year prohibition on data centers into the city’s code.
Not every data center is 'AI,' UCSD expert says as Kings, Tulare weigh plans
Aug 26, 2026
In a FOX26 interview, UC San Diego's Eric Masanet said edge facilities differ from large AI campuses and communities should ask about size, power, water and cooling.
Inflation eases to 3.4%; AI data center fight lands in Kern County
Aug 20, 2026
July inflation cooled to 3.4% year over year. The same AI buildout many credit for long-run gains is fueling local debates over power and water in Kern County.
Tulare County pauses new AI data center permits while it writes the rules
Aug 19, 2026
Supervisors approved a temporary pause on permits for AI data centers in unincorporated areas while staff drafts standards on power, water and siting.
AP: Democrats eye data center opposition as Valley cities weigh projects
Jul 25, 2026
An AP report says Democrats see political openings in rural fights over AI data centers. Kern and Stanislaus counties already face decisions on big proposals and short pauses.
Yosemite adds AI wait-time tracker for Hwy 41, 120 and 140 entrances
Jul 24, 2026
Yosemite is posting live entrance waits and parking alerts, with Fresno’s Highway 41 South Entrance included. Here’s how Central Valley visitors can use it before they leave home.
Bakersfield Now asks voters about AI data centers as Inyokern, Taft plans draw scrutiny
Jul 5, 2026
KBAK/KBFX posted a June 17 'Question of the Day' on whether residents support an AI data center, as Kern communities weigh proposed sites in Inyokern and near Taft.