San Diego supervisors direct staff to study impacts of large AI data centers

San Diego County supervisors on Thursday voted unanimously to direct county staff to study and report back within 180 days on the potential impacts of large artificial intelligence data centers, including siting, infrastructure and ratepayer effects. "So all I'm asking is that staff looks into this, comes back to us, within 6 months or sooner with a potential ... here's what we know about them," Supervisor Desmond said when he introduced the item.

The motion followed more than a dozen public comments. Several callers and in-person speakers urged strong regulation or an outright pause on new AI data center projects, citing concerns about large electricity and water demands, misidentification and deepfakes, and broader social impacts. A caller who identified themself as "Truth" said the item raised questions about transparency and urged legal action and stronger guarantees from technology companies.

Chair Pro Tem Gary urged the board to "get ahead" of potential projects and underscored the local resource concerns: "Large AI data centers place extraordinary demand on electricity and water systems," he said, noting the facilities can operate 24/7 and draw as much power as tens of thousands of homes. Supervisors also suggested staff outreach to utilities, labor and other stakeholders during the study.

County direction requires staff to return with findings on how many facilities exist or are proposed, their permitting pathways, and options for siting standards, ratepayer protections and infrastructure requirements. The motion, made by Supervisor Desmond and seconded by Vice Chair Montgomery Stepp, passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Next steps: county staff will prepare the requested report and present options to the board within the requested 180-day timeframe; no binding local regulations were adopted at Thursday's meeting.