California Construction News staff writer
San José is bringing contractors, labour groups, developers and other stakeholders into the process of developing new standards for data centers and other large energy-use projects.
The city has been holding small-group meetings since June with stakeholders including IBEW Local 332, Pipefitters UA Local 393, Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, Sprinkler Fitters UA Local 483, South Bay Labor and other organizations.
A developer roundtable will be held Aug. 27, followed by small-group working sessions with stakeholders and community members from Aug. 31 through Sept. 11. Comments can be submitted using this form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/e0gffa3r1u. A second developer roundtable will be held in October to review and discuss the draft standards.
The outreach is part of a broader effort to establish uniform standards for data center projects in San José, following a June 10 recommendation from the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee directing the city manager to develop the standards.
A list of data center and other large energy-use projects currently under review and recently approved applications can be found on this page: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/planning-building-code-enforcement/planning-division/data-center-and-other-large-energy-use-projects#!/
The committee called for standards that build on existing local and state environmental regulations while addressing issues including energy consumption and sourcing, water use, air quality, backup power generators, greenhouse gas emissions, noise and water quality.
The standards also are expected to establish a clear and consistent process for notifying and engaging communities about proposed data center projects.
The city is scheduled to hold a community listening session Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at San José City Hall, where residents can learn about the proposed approach, ask questions and provide feedback. Participate in-person or watch on Zoom: bit.ly/SanJoseAug19.
The session will be held in the Committee Wing Rooms at 200 E. Santa Clara St. and will also be livestreamed.
A Stanford-led deliberative polling session is planned for late September. The process is intended to measure how public opinion changes after participants receive expert information and discuss the issue collectively. The results will help inform the draft standards.
City Council briefings on the draft standards are also planned for late September, followed by a second developer roundtable in early October.
A final large-format community session is planned for mid-October to present the final draft standards, answer questions and gather public feedback.
Council briefings on the final proposed standards are expected in mid-November, with Dec. 1 tentatively scheduled for a City Council meeting to present the proposed Data Center and Large Energy Project Uniform Standards.
The city’s work follows growing interest in data center development and other projects with significant energy demands. San José’s proposed standards are intended to address both the infrastructure requirements of such projects and their potential environmental and community impacts.
The committee also directed the city to support statewide legislation, including Senate Bill 887, aimed at helping local jurisdictions develop cleaner infrastructure for data centers. The effort includes potential expansion of recycled-water and “purple pipe” infrastructure, cleaner energy and transmission infrastructure, with goals of reducing environmental impacts, protecting ratepayers and expanding access to economic opportunities.
The city is also maintaining a list of data center and other large energy-use projects currently under review and recently approved.
The Aug. 19 community listening session can be viewed online at bit.ly/SanJoseAug19.
