Overview
- City staff unveiled the draft standards at a packed community meeting on Oct. 15, where hundreds of residents and faith leaders rallied for an immediate halt to new approvals.
- The proposal would require recycled or closed‑loop cooling, 100% carbon‑neutral electricity or verified offsets, EPA Tier 4 generators and a 25‑hour annual limit on generator testing and maintenance.
- San José plans annual reporting of water, energy, noise and sewage plus five‑year third‑party audits, but critics say the rules rely too much on operator self‑reporting and lack enforceable teeth.
- Officials warned that two data‑center projects could be approved under current rules before the new standards take effect, and the city aims to finalize the ordinance at a December council vote.
- Neighboring Santa Clara is separately tightening water and air rules and Silicon Valley Power has limited new large‑load commitments, underscoring regional infrastructure and equity concerns over rapid data‑center growth.