Vernon, the only Los Angeles-area city still actively building data centers, is now confronting a surge of community opposition over pollution and health risks.
While surrounding jurisdictions have imposed moratoriums, Vernon has welcomed the industry, approving one operating facility and five additional projects that could together demand hundreds of megawatts of electricity.
The city's public utility stopped processing new data center connections in December 2025. The council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Nov. 17 to consider requiring environmental reviews, with a final vote expected on Dec. 15.