Judge orders full environmental review of massive AI data center in Imperial County

Imperial County’s plan for a nearly 1-million-square-foot AI data center, backed by Sebastian Rucci’s Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing, has been sent back for a full environmental review after a judge rejected the county’s earlier exemption. The project, promoted as a catalyst for an AI hub and a source of over 1,600 construction jobs and roughly $30 million in yearly tax revenue, faces opposition from the City of Imperial, the Sierra Club and dozens of residents who fear heavy water use—about 750,000 gallons per day—from a drought-hit region, increased emissions, noise and impacts on endangered desert pupfish.

Legal challenges have already produced multiple lawsuits, a temporary moratorium and a recall effort against county supervisor Peggy Price. The court ordered officials to evaluate water, electricity, emissions and community effects before any building can begin, a process that could take a year or more and may explore alternative sites. Google has denied involvement despite earlier claims by Rucci. The case highlights growing tensions over AI data-center expansion in water-scarce, low-income areas.