CAL.Regulation
California conditions data-center CEQA streamlining on zero-carbon power, water, and community terms
SB 887 (Chapter 439), signed September 21, added data centers to California's environmental leadership development project program under the California Environmental Quality Act, opening a path to expedited judicial review. To qualify, a project must prepay interconnection costs, add no fossil fuel use, install four-hour zero-carbon storage at peak demand, use recycled or waterless cooling, reach 100 percent zero-carbon electricity within five years, and sign an enforceable community benefits agreement.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
Key points
- Interconnection costs must be prepaid in full, as determined by the PUC or local utility, to prevent cost shifts.California Legislative Information
- Projects must add no fossil fuel consumption in the state and use recycled water or waterless cooling.California Legislative Information
- Zero-carbon storage of at least four hours at 100 percent of forecasted peak demand is required.California Legislative Information
- Applicants must reach 100 percent zero-carbon electricity within five years, with 75 percent newly developed.California Legislative Information
- A legally binding community benefits agreement, built with affected-community engagement, is required.California Legislative Information
- Governor-certified projects get expedited judicial review; the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation sets statewide standards. Effective January 1, 2027.California Legislative Information
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RegulationCal.SB 887 — CEQA: environmental leadership development projects: data centersEnvironmentalFor practitionersFor governance