The Sacramento mayor has requested a study on data center safeguards following findings from the Abridged report.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty has directed city staff to develop a policy addressing the potential impacts of data center projects, emphasizing the need for community safeguards. Speaking at a Tuesday afternoon Sacramento City Council meeting, McCarty noted his directive coincided with a recent report from *Abridged* by PBS KVIE indicating that a major data center developer is considering a site in southeastern Sacramento.

“I want Sacramento to be prepared if and when a project comes our way,” McCarty said. He added, “I’m asking our city manager and our city staff to look into a policy that considers potential impacts on our communities, energy, water infrastructure, neighborhoods and what safeguards we might need if such a proposal is forwarded to the city of Sacramento,” the mayor said.

Public records obtained by *Abridged* show that national warehouse firm Link Logistics, a subsidiary of Blackstone Inc.—one of the nation’s largest data center developers—has been in discussions with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) since February regarding a potential “large load” data center project. The proposed facility, located within an industrial complex in southeast Sacramento, could require 50 megawatts or more of power. SMUD, whose service territory spans Sacramento County and a portion of Placer County, confirmed it is currently processing four separate inquiries for data centers ranging from 20 to 50 megawatts.

Southeastern Sacramento Councilmember Eric Guerra, who represents the area where the project is being considered, voiced strong opposition to the development. Records indicate Guerra met with Link Logistics representatives on April 15 to discuss the company’s request for project entitlements.

“Questions came up at City Council today about data centers,” Guerra said in a statement posted after Tuesday’s council meeting. “Data centers are not permitted in Sacramento and I strongly oppose allowing them in the city when there are too many unanswered questions surrounding impacts to our water and air, all of which are essential to our community,” Guerra said.

Addressing regulatory oversight, McCarty also highlighted Assembly Bill 2619, currently pending on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, which would mandate that data centers provide cities and counties with estimated water usage figures.

As Sacramento evaluates its approach, municipalities statewide are moving to restrict new developments. According to *Politico*, at least 15 California cities have proposed or enacted moratoriums on new data centers over the last month. Echoing this trend, Councilmember Lisa Kaplan urged the city to implement an immediate pause on new data center projects while a comprehensive policy is drafted. In a social media post, Kaplan outlined concerns around the sector’s high energy consumption, noting that the resulting emissions can “present a significant risk to public health and affect the ability of local governments to achieve their climate and clean energy goals.”