Sen. Cortese's Statement on SB 1298 - Improving Data Center Infrastructure - Not Moving Forward

SAN JOSE, CA – Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement regarding the California Assembly’s hostile amendments to his Senate Bill 1298 (SB 1298):

“Despite careful negotiations with stakeholders and policy committees to create a bill that would streamline critical data center capacity in Silicon Valley and California, my Senate Bill 1298 died in the Assembly,” said Senator Cortese. “To continue to be the most innovative economy in the United States, we must strike the correct balance between improving our technology infrastructure and environmental review.”

Data center capacity in California is perilously low. Less than 2% in capacity remains crucial for life saving and life altering technologies today. Silicon Valley Power forecasts that the data center load will double by 2035, and significant resource additions will be needed to support the increase. Data centers support businesses of all sizes including critical infrastructure and essential services such as 9-1-1 call centers and GPS navigation systems.

"SVLG thanks Senator Cortese for taking a lead role to strengthen our state's innovation infrastructure," said SVLG CEO Ahmad Thomas. "SB 1298 aimed to position California to remain at the forefront of technological advancement, and we appreciate the legislature's efforts to learn why data centers are crucial to our economy. While SB 1298 did not pass, we look forward to taking up this issue in the future and working with Sen. Cortese on it in the coming months and years."

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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