The Data Center Next Door | Episode 4: Not in My Backyard

The Data Center Next Door | Episode 4: Not in My Backyard

From Electric Futures by University of Southern California

April 15, 2026 · 1h 3m · Season 3 · Episode 4

About this episode

This episode explores community pushback against the development of hyperscale data centers in Imperial Valley and the concerns surrounding such investments.

When a hyperscale data center comes to a place like Imperial Valley, communities have questions and concerns. Billions of dollars of investment — and profit – are at stake. Community members have questions. But rather than excitement, there’s community pushback. Why? We dive into the resistance in Imperial Valley and beyond. You can follow us on Instagram at⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠ ⁠⁠⁠. Additional resources from USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication: ⁠The Data Center Next Door, Key Considerations for Communities Navigating Data Center Development⁠ ⁠How to Create a Climate Podcast⁠ ----- Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by me, Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our supervising producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Imperial Valley College student Tahjah Fortune is our production assistant. This episode was directed…

People in this episode

Host: Charles Zukoski

Topics covered

  • data centers
  • community resistance
  • investment
  • local concerns
  • climate journalism

Keywords

  • data center
  • Imperial Valley
  • community pushback
  • investment
  • climate journalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Southern California, USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication

Places: Imperial Valley

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