Robert Rickman — who represents Ripon, rural South Manteca, Tracy and Mountain House on the Board of Supervisors — is seeking a temporary moratorium on data centers in the unincorporated areas of San Joaquin County.

There are currently no large-scale artificial intelligence data centers operating in unincorporated San Joaquin County, and no active applications for such facilities.

The temporary moratorium, if the supervisors opt to pursue one at a future date during Tuesday’s meeting, would take staff six months to draft policy options for the supervisors to weigh.

The moratorium would apply to large-scale artificial intelligence and other high intensity data centers.

Staff could be directed to:

*Evaluate the potential impacts of large-scale data centers in unincorporated San Joaquin County.

*Review whether the County’s General Plan, zoning regulations, and infrastructure standards adequately address such facilities.

*Develop policy options for the Board’s consideration at a later date.

Those policy options could include:

*Prohibiting large-scale data centers in all unincorporated zoning districts.

*Restricting where and under what conditions they may operate.

*Establishing specific development and operating standards.

*Preparing a temporary moratorium, if legally supportable, while permanent regulations are considered.

“Although these facilities may provide economic benefits, their development raises important questions regarding potential impacts on local communities, agricultural operations, utility capacity, natural resources, and public infrastructure,” Rickman noted in a letter to the board,

“Large-scale data centers can require substantial amounts of electricity and water, as well as wastewater capacity, public infrastructure, and emergency services.”

Additional concerns include potential impacts on utility capacity and rates, agricultural land, groundwater supplies, noise, air quality, backup generators, fire protection, neighboring properties, and compatibility with surrounding land uses.

The County does not currently have land-use regulations specifically addressing the unique size, intensity, and resource demands of large-scale artificial intelligence and similar high-intensity data centers.

“Because there are no existing facilities or active applications, the County has an opportunity to proactively evaluate these concerns before receiving or approving a development proposal,” Rickman noted.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com