San Diego families are already being squeezed — by higher electricity bills, higher housing costs, and higher prices on just about everything. And now, there’s a new threat quietly emerging that could make it all even worse.
At the very first Board of Supervisors meeting of the year, I’m bringing forward legislation to protect you from massive corporate AI data centers and server farms before they take root in our region.
Here’s the reality:
Artificial intelligence server farms, massive corporate data centers, electric vehicles, and automation are driving energy demand through the roof. These facilities consume staggering amounts of electricity and water — often the equivalent of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of homes.
Meanwhile, Big Tech companies are slashing jobs and replacing workers with AI. Amazon alone has already replaced tens of thousands of employees. But the power needed to fuel this automation? That cost isn’t being paid by the corporations.
It’s being passed on to you — through higher electric bills and a strained power grid.
Right now, San Diego County has no specific safeguards in place to protect ratepayers, water supplies, or local communities from these massive facilities. Without action, these projects could be approved quietly, locking in long-term costs that working families and small businesses will be forced to absorb .
That’s unacceptable.
My proposal directs the County to act before this becomes another crisis — not after. We will:
-
Examine how AI data centers impact electricity rates, water usage, fire risk, noise, and infrastructure
-
Ensure communities have transparency and a real voice
-
Require corporations to pay their fair share for the energy and infrastructure they consume
-
Protect ratepayers, not corporate balance sheets
This is about fairness.
It’s about accountability.
And it’s about standing up for the people who actually live here.
San Diegans should not be forced to subsidize billion-dollar corporations while those same companies eliminate jobs and drain our resources.
I’ll continue fighting to make sure innovation doesn’t come at the expense of working families — and that the people always come before powerful special interests.
As always, I’m honored to represent you and grateful for your support.