LA County to Examine Data Centers' Impact on Power and Water

Supervisors order study on effects of energy-hungry facilities on utilities, communities

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:28pm

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to study the potential strain that large data centers could have on public utilities and nearby communities. Concerns were raised over the centers' voracious appetite for electricity and water, as well as their potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and utility costs for residents.

Why it matters

As demand for data processing and AI capabilities grows, the proliferation of energy-intensive data centers could undermine LA County's sustainability goals and burden local communities. The study aims to quantify these impacts and explore ways to mitigate them through regulations and requirements for developers.

The details

The motion, originally proposed by Supervisor Hilda Solis, was amended to remove a potential moratorium on new data centers. However, the study will still examine the centers' effects on electricity usage, water consumption, air quality, and noise levels. Officials estimate a single large data center could use up to 5 million gallons of water per day and the same amount of electricity as 8 million homes. This could force utilities to rely more on fossil fuel-powered 'peaker plants' and drive up consumer costs.

  • The LA County Board of Supervisors voted on the motion on April 14, 2026.
  • The study is expected to be completed within 4 months.

The players

Hilda Solis

First District Supervisor on the LA County Board of Supervisors, who proposed the original motion.

Rita Kampalath

LA County's Chief Sustainability Officer, who explained how data centers could undermine the county's climate goals.

Mark Pestrella

Director of the LA County Public Works Department and an expert on water resources, who discussed the potential impact on water supplies and costs.

Barbara Ferrer

Director of the LA County Department of Public Health, who raised concerns about air quality, noise pollution, and health impacts from data centers.

Amy Bodek

Director of the LA County Department of Regional Planning, who will determine where data centers should be permitted, if at all.

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What they’re saying

“We want to convert these (plants) using fossil fuels to cleaner energy ones. By adding this additional electrical demand, that can cause an obstacle.”

— Rita Kampalath, LA County Chief Sustainability Officer

“We know water is very precious. And we've seen increases to our water rates over the years. Those are issues consumers will have to contend with unless we put in some safeguards.”

— Hilda Solis, LA County Supervisor

“These data centers provide valuable opportunities for high-paying jobs.”

— George Bocanegra, Western States Regional Council of Carpenters

What’s next

The LA County Department of Regional Planning will determine where data centers should be permitted, if at all, based on the findings of the 4-month study.

The takeaway

As the demand for data processing and AI capabilities grows, LA County is taking a proactive approach to understand and mitigate the potential strain that energy-hungry data centers could place on local utilities, infrastructure, and communities. The study's findings will help shape future regulations and requirements to ensure these facilities are built and operated responsibly.