The fight over data centers is intensifying in California and nationwide as organizers develop new strategies to take on tech companies and developers. While an Imperial Valley site is moving forward despite community backlash, Monterey Park will vote this June on whether to ban all data center development in the city — one of multiple data center referendums on ballots across the U.S. this year. We’ll talk with a data center developer who says these sites create jobs and infrastructure necessary for the A.I. boom and a state lawmaker who wants more oversight.

Guests:

Molly Taft, senior climate reporter, WIRED

Kori Suzuki, South Bay & Imperial Valley Reporter, KPBS Public Media

Sen. Steve Padilla, state senator representing the counties of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino

Sebastian Rucci, chief executive officer, Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, LLC

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