Why Dixon is pausing new data center approvals for 45 days

At a special meeting, city leaders discussed concerns about the potential demands data centers could place on power, water, wastewater and other infrastructure.

DIXON, Calif. — Dixon is temporarily putting the brakes on new data center approvals as city leaders’ study how the facilities could affect the community.

The Dixon City Council approved a 45-day moratorium Wednesday, giving the city time to study potential impacts involving electricity, water, wastewater and other infrastructure, along with noise, emissions and fire risks.

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The move comes as data centers have become a growing topic of discussion across California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed seven new data center laws Sept. 21, including requirements for reporting on water and electricity use.

For Dixon resident Camille Mathieu, the issue is personal.

“I’m nervous about the future. This is a big subject and a scary subject and one that is a national conversation, in addition to one that’s impacting us locally,” Mathieu said.

Mathieu has lived in Dixon for about three years and described herself as a “transplant.” She said she was proud to be a Dixon resident after the meeting and left feeling optimistic about the city’s decision to study the issue.

“I am leaving this meeting optimistic, but ready to still come back and have my voice be heard in the future,” Mathieu said.

But Mathieu said she remains concerned about what data centers could mean for residents.

“Thinking of your power costing more, your water being less accessible, those are definitely things that are kind of just unsettling,” Mathieu said.

Dixon has more than a century of history and a small-town character Mathieu said she hopes to preserve.

“Dixon is full of good-hearted rebels. I love it. I’m one too,” Mathieu said.

At a special meeting, city leaders discussed concerns about the potential demands data centers could place on power, water, wastewater and other infrastructure.

Dixon Vice Mayor Jim Ernest said the city is not currently considering a data center project. He said he is not for or against data centers at this point, but residents want to understand what could happen before a project comes to town.

“I’m really not for or against at this point, but I think it’s very obvious that our citizens want to know what’s going on. They don’t want to be surprised by some project moving into town when they didn’t even know what could happen,” Ernest said.

Ernest said the goal of the moratorium is to create more transparency and establish a planning process before future projects arrive.

“I think the transparency here is what we’re looking for, to get ahead of this, to get a planning process in place so that when what eventually does come, and surely it will, that we’re ready for it,” Ernest said.

The moratorium pauses new data center approvals while Dixon studies its options. The additional information provided for the story says the proposed rules would apply to data centers of at least 5,000 square feet or 2 megawatts, along with associated on-site energy infrastructure.

The city has not selected a permanent policy. Future options could include additional permitting and environmental review or potentially prohibiting data centers.

Dixon joins other California communities that have taken action on data centers. Patterson, Riverbank and Calaveras County approved moratoriums this summer. Stockton removed data centers from its economic development plan, while San Joaquin County and Sacramento are studying potential impacts and exploring policy.

The 45-day moratorium is not a permanent ban. City leaders can extend it if they need more time to study the issue.

For Mathieu, the decision is a reason to stay involved.

“Now that I’m here, I don’t think I’m ever going to leave. So, this is home,” Mathieu said.

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