Concern is mounting in Pittsburg, California, over a proposed data center on land that used to be a golf course, KQED reported. Residents opposing the project said it sits too near homes and schools, and they are also worried about water use, pollution, noise, and how the city handled public outreach.
Despite the city's approval of the development, resistance has intensified, and the fight over the site has expanded into a larger argument about which communities absorb the environmental and neighborhood impacts tied to the artificial intelligence boom.
What's happening?
The Stop Pittsburg Data Center group is encouraging residents to attend a City Council discussion about data center policy and the Avaio proposal and speak out. The first phase of Avaio Digital's plan, approved by the City Council in 2024, would place a data center at the former golf course site.
Lifelong Pittsburg resident Amhari Perkins said she launched a petition in June after finding out the facility would be built near her daughter's school, other schools, and residential neighborhoods.
"I remember having nights where it was kind of hard sleeping, just thinking about it and questioning, 'Who else knows about this?'" Perkins said.
Perkins later organized Stop Pittsburg Data Center, a coalition that has encouraged residents to address the council. Coalition member Pauline Johnson said the group is not against AI itself, but is seeking stronger protections.
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"A lot of these projects do encroach upon communities that have limited resources," Johnson said. "Versus like Walnut Creek or Danville, those kind of high-income areas."
Why does it matter?
Data centers can consume massive amounts of electricity and water while generating noise and putting additional strain on local infrastructure. In Pittsburg, residents say those impacts could directly affect daily life, especially for families living and going to school nearby.
The Center for Biological Diversity sued Pittsburg, arguing the city had no plan for greenhouse gas pollution, water demand, and wildlife impacts. The case was settled in late 2025, and under that agreement, the data center must rely on 100% renewable energy and use recycled water for cooling.
City officials have also said the completed project would use roughly a quarter of the amount of water the golf course used.
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AI is closely tied to the power grid because the servers behind AI tools operate in data centers that require constant electricity. That connection can create some opportunities, such as using AI to improve grid efficiency and help manage clean energy systems, but it also brings risks, including rising energy demand, water consumption, security concerns, misuse, and the possibility of higher utility bills if infrastructure costs are passed on to customers.
What's being done?
City officials say they met notice requirements and did more outreach than the law required. City Manager Darin Gale also said the project is being called the Avaio Data Center Project, rather than the broader Pittsburg Technology Park name, in an effort to be more transparent with residents.
Although the first phase was approved in 2024, the project still needs additional permits. Meanwhile, two more phases tied to the larger technology park proposal would include employment spaces, which supporters have described as part of the city's economic development strategy.
In a 2025 statement, Councilmember Juan Antonio Banales said the Avaio project would help bring more jobs to the area.
Some other cities in East Contra Costa County have responded more aggressively. Oakley adopted a temporary data center ban in April, and both Oakley and Brentwood have looked at permanent restrictions after local backlash.
"The response that we've received from the city and the City Council, they've been very quiet," Perkins said. "It's very scary for a lot of us."
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