The IVDC Fact Center
The Imperial Valley Data Center: myth vs. fact
Opposition to the data center relies on fear, not data. Here are the facts.
"The data center will drain our precious drinking water."
The facility is a net water-positive operation running entirely on a closed-loop "purple pipe" recycled wastewater system. It purchases 6 million gallons of reclaimed water daily, uses only 750,000 gallons for cooling, and returns 5.25 million gallons of newly treated, clean water to the watershed — helping restore the dying Salton Sea.
"The massive energy load will break our fragile power grid."
The facility deploys 220 Tesla Megapacks (862 MWh) and operates under an "interruptible service" contract. IID holds the absolute contractual authority to cut the center's power instantly during grid emergencies — the center then islands itself on battery storage and backup generators. It is literally a shock absorber for the grid, not a drain.
"Battery cooling fans will create unbearable noise for neighborhoods."
Tesla Megapack maximum noise: 75 dBA at 10 meters (same as city traffic inside a car). At typical operating speeds (40% throttle): 64 dBA. The City of Imperial's noise limit is 70 dBA CNEL. With hundreds of meters separating the site from residential areas, noise at community boundaries will be indistinguishable from ambient background.
"Ratepayers will foot the bill for grid upgrades."
Under the principle of "cost causation," the developer is strictly responsible for financing all substations, transmission lines, heavy-duty transformers, and localized system upgrades. Existing ratepayers are completely insulated from industrial infrastructure costs.
The economic impact
| Category | Value | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capital Investment | $10,000,000,000 | Largest single private investment in county history |
| Construction Jobs | 1,688 union | High-wage employment over 2-year construction phase |
| Permanent Tech Jobs | 100+ | Network engineering, facility management |
| One-Time Sales Tax | $72,500,000 | Immediate cash infusion to local government |
| Annual Property Tax | $28,750,000 | Schools, fire, police, infrastructure |
| Annual Personal Property Tax | $10,000,000 | Additional unrestricted municipal revenue |
| IID Net Revenue | Up to $30,000,000/yr | Downward pressure on residential rates |
Water usage in context
By the numbers
- IID senior water rights: 3.1 million acre-feet per year
- Data center maximum requirement: 840 acre-feet per year (0.027% of total)
- IID maintains a 25,000 acre-feet industrial set-aside — historically unused
- A single Imperial Valley farming family used an estimated 82,000 acre-feet in 2022 — nearly 100x the entire data center
- The data center uses zero potable water — 100% recycled wastewater
The facts are clear. Share them.
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