Santa Clara leaders are raising concerns about how the city’s dozens of data centers affect residents and the environment.
Santa Clara has more standalone data centers than any other California city — 55 in operation and three in the pipeline, according to the city. Demand is growing as more people use the internet and digitally demanding technology advances, such as artificial intelligence. With data centers providing the city with millions in revenue, officials are questioning impacts to water and the electrical grid.
Officials said city-owned power utility Silicon Valley Power has lower electricity rates compared to PG&E, a plus for data centers that need reliable energy, and the reason so many companies have planted their data centers in the city. Santa Clara also has a strong fiber optic network near Central Expressway, where most of the data centers are located, making it easier for more data to travel faster…