Calaveras Supervisors Agree On Need For AI Data Center Moratorium

Published Aug 13, 2026 12:26 pm

Calaveras Supervisors discuss data center moratorium

San Andreas, CA — The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, 5-0, directed staff to develop an urgency ordinance to temporarily prevent construction of large data centers.

There is a national debate surrounding the impacts of data centers on land use, energy supply, and water. They are being constructed at a rapid pace by tech companies as compute needs increase because of the rise of artificial intelligence.

At this week’s meeting, Calaveras Planning Director Brett Sampson told the Board of Supervisors, “We are concerned about a data center possibly coming into the county and being situated on a site that isn’t appropriate…It is our belief that these types of projects should go through a very robust California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process to analyze the significant effects of these large-scale projects.”

Sampson indicated he is concerned that developers of data centers may try to find loopholes to fast-track projects without a full, comprehensive CEQA review.

In addition to the earlier concerns referenced, he said they are still unknowns, and the potential for data centers to create their own “heat island” and change the temperature of the immediate vicinity.

A handful of community members also raised concerns about data center impacts during the public comment portion at the meeting.

Speaking in favor of a moratorium, Supervisor Gary Tofanelli stated, “Definitely. I am all in favor. Get this back to us as soon as you can for our approval. And then, once that is done, I’m all in favor of bringing something back, as soon as you can, to make it permanent.”

Board Chair Benjamin Stopper stated that he is personally “pro-growth” but also “cognizant of where we live,” adding, “This does not fit our landscape.”

Supervisor Amanda Folendorf is in favor of developing the urgency ordinance, but also stressed that staff needs to ensure that it is for AI-type data centers and doesn’t unintentionally impact other IT infrastructure projects that the county or other local businesses may need for their operations.

Supervisor Martin Huberty also voiced support of the urgency ordinance, adding, “I want to see this happen.” He pointed out that some people may argue that these projects could benefit local contractors, but he countered that they bring in more global-type contractors for this highly specific work.

Supervisor Autumn Andahl also argued that AI data centers are not a good fit locally, as the county’s cultural and economic identity surrounds tourism, agriculture, and small businesses.

The county’s legal counsel noted that an urgency ordinance would last for 45 days and could be extended for up to two years. During that period, county staff could develop a more permanent ordinance.