Eddie Lopez

Imperial County, CA – On March 16, 2026, the County of Imperial announced a town hall scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, to discuss the proposed Imperial Data Center Project. Following that announcement, the County received community feedback requesting the participation of the Board of Supervisors in a public discussion of the Project. The County has heard this feedback and understands that many residents would like the Supervisors to be present as part of a community conversation about the proposed Imperial Data Center Project (Project).

There have also been questions regarding why Supervisors were not initially able to participate in the town hall. Under California’s Brown Act, a majority of Supervisors may not participate in the same event where issues within their future decision-making authority are discussed outside of a properly noticed Board meeting, as doing so could be interpreted as an unlawful or “serial” meeting. 

Because this Project is an active application that may come before the Board, participation in the town hall could compromise both compliance with the Brown Act and the Board’s ability to remain impartial. For that reason, Supervisors could not participate in the originally planned town hall format. 

In response to community feedback, the County will change the event from a town hall to an informational item on the Board of Supervisors agenda. To accommodate community participation outside normal working hours, this will be held as a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. 

While this item will be presented at a properly noticed Special Board Meeting, the Board will not be taking any action on the Project at that time. Because this is an active application that may come before the Board for future consideration, Supervisors must remain impartial and cannot express positions on the Project. 

The County believes this approach best accommodates community requests for Board participation while ensuring full transparency and compliance with state law. 

The meeting format will remain focused on information sharing and public engagement. The Project applicant will provide a presentation on the proposed Project, followed by an opportunity for public comment. Questions related to the specifics of the Project will be addressed by the applicant, while County staff from relevant departments will be available to respond to questions regarding County processes. 

The purpose of this informational presentation on the Project is to provide information, address questions, and receive public input, not to deliberate or make a decision. During the meeting: 

Supervisors may: 

• Listen to the presentation 
• Ask clarifying, procedural, or informational questions 

Supervisors may not: 

• Express support or opposition 
• Weigh in on the merits of the project 
• Indicate how they might vote 
• Engage in advocacy or back-and-forth debate with speakers 

To be clear, while the Board must remain impartial at this stage, it will not remain neutral indefinitely. As specific components of the Project, such as related land use actions, come before the Board at future properly noticed meeting(s) or hearing(s), the Board will take action on those items based on the information presented at that time.  

The County appreciates the community’s continued engagement and looks forward to a productive and informative discussion on the proposed Project on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 6p.m. in the County Board of Supervisors Chamber, located at 904 W Main Street, El Centro, CA 92243.  

###

Imperial County, CA — In response to community requests for a public forum to discuss the proposed Imperial Data Center Project, the County of Imperial will host a public town hall meeting on March 25, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to provide information on the project and hear community input. 

About the Imperial Data Center Town Hall 

The town hall is intended to give residents, community stakeholders, and interested parties an opportunity to receive an update on the Project and participate in an open public discussion. This meeting is informational in nature and is not a public hearing or formal decision-making proceeding regarding the Project. Because the Project is an active application that may ultimately come before the Board of Supervisors, the Board has an obligation to remain neutral and unbiased prior to any formal consideration. For that reason, members of the Board of Supervisors will not participate in the town hall.  

As requested by residents, this will be a project-specific town hall; questions related to the details of the proposed Project will be directed to and addressed by the Project applicant. Questions related to the permitting process will be responded to by the County.  

Town Hall Agenda 

1. County Update: 

• Imperial County Planning & Development Services Department will outline the status of the project and applicable County processes 
• An overview of the comments and questions the County has received via the online County Project form  

 2. Project Presentation: 

• The Project applicant will provide a presentation describing the proposed Imperial Data Center Project, including updates to the proposed Project  

3. Public Comment: 

• Up to 90 minutes of public comment will be allowed. Community members will be provided up to 3 minutes to share feedback and ask questions to the applicant about the Project  
• The Project applicant will provide responses to questions raised during public comments about the Project  
• Questions related to the permitting process will be responded to by the County 

All participants are expected to maintain a respectful and orderly environment. Disruptive behavior, including yelling, screaming, obscene language, disrespectful comments, or interrupting other speakers, will not be permitted.  

Signage: To ensure visibility for all attendees, large signs may only be held at the back of the room, so they do not interfere with others’ ability to view the meeting. Small signs no larger than 8.5″ x 11″ in may be held, provided they do not obstruct the view of other participants. 

Because this is not a formal public hearing, the County reserves the right to amend or modify the agenda for the town hall at its discretion. 

Town Hall Details 

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Location: Imperial County Administration Building Board Chambers 

• 940 W. Main Street in El Centro 
• Overflow will be available at the Imperial County Public Health Training Center 

Virtual Participation:

The meeting will be recorded and available virtually through Granicus. Questions and public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting.  

Update Regarding the Online Comment Portal 

On January 29, 2026, the County opened a public comment portal on its website for the Imperial Data Center Project with the intent of providing an initial 45-day window for receiving community feedback, although as outlined on the site there are no limitations being set on how long people can submit comments.  

As of today, the comment form has been available for 46 days and the County has received 40 submissions through the public comment portal. 

Because many submissions included multiple questions or addressed similar topics, the County is publishing a summary document by this Friday that groups feedback by subject area. This summary is intended to help readers navigate the input efficiently. However, the County has heard the community’s requests for transparency, which is why the County will also release a consolidated PDF of all submitted comments in their original form. In response to privacy concerns raised by participants, names and contact information will be removed from the posted materials. 

Community Engagement

The County encourages community members interested in the Project to attend and participate in the town hall discussion on March 25, 2026, listen online virtually, or share their comments online on the County portal: https://imperialcounty.org/dc-comments/.

###

Imperial County, CA — The Imperial County Registrar of Voters has released the official list of candidates who have filed to appear on the ballot for the June 2, 2026 Statewide Primary Election. The list, available on the Registrar of Voters’ website, reflects only those candidates who filed within Imperial County.

Residents can review the full list of candidates, including local, state, and federal offices relevant to Imperial County voters, by visiting elections.imperialcounty.org/current-election-activities/. This resource provides voters with the most up-to-date information on who will appear on the primary ballot.

“Transparency and accessibility are critical as we prepare for the primary election,” said Linsey Dale, Imperial County Registrar of Voters. “We encourage all voters to review the candidates and make informed decisions ahead of Election Day.”

For more information about voter registration, candidate filings, or to view the full list of candidates filing in Imperial County, visit elections.imperialcounty.org or contact the Registrar of Voters office at (442) 265-1060.

Imperial County, CA — February 27, 2026 — The County of Imperial announced today that it is extending the public review period for the Lithium Valley Specific Plan (LVSP) and accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to provide stakeholders more time to review and submit comments.

The decision follows requests from a wide range of interested parties, including environmental justice organizations, tribal representatives, state agencies, industry stakeholders, and community groups. The County recognizes the depth of public interest in the initiative and the importance of ensuring meaningful participation in this milestone planning effort.

“Lithium Valley represents one of the most significant economic, environmental, and infrastructure initiatives in Imperial County’s history,” said Chairwoman Peggy Price. “We have been listening carefully to feedback from all organizations and individuals. Extending the review period reflects our commitment to ensuring everyone has a meaningful opportunity to participate in shaping the future of this initiative.”

The LVSP and PEIR together outline a comprehensive framework to guide future development in the region, including geothermal energy production, critical mineral recovery, manufacturing, infrastructure, workforce development, and community investment strategies. Because of the breadth of issues addressed, the County determined that extending the review period supports transparency, strengthens the planning process, and allows stakeholders to participate more fully.

The extended review period will now remain open until April 17, 2026, at 5PM, after which the County will compile and respond to all written comments on significant environmental issues, received in conformance with the Notice of Extended Comment Period/Notice of Availability. The County encourages residents, organizations, and agencies to continue reviewing the documents and providing input during this extended timeframe.

The following information is available for review on the County’s website or the County Planning and Development Department:

• Copies of the Draft PEIR, Draft PEIR Appendices A-1 through L-2 (excluding Confidential Tribal Consultation Appendix K), documents incorporated by reference, requested Draft PEIR references, the revised December 2025 LVSP, LVSP Appendices A through C, the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance/Map Amendments, and the Construction Workforce Ordinance. The Draft PEIR Executive Summary Chapter and the LVSP Executive Summary have also been translated into Spanish and previously made available on the County’s website. Copies of the Draft PEIR are also available at Imperial County Free Library, Calipatria Branch, at 105 S Lake Ave, Calipatria, CA 92233.

To review the files online or for information on how submit comments (included in the Notice of Extended Comment Period/Notice of Availability), please visit https://imperialcounty.org/lvsppeir/

Imperial County, CA – The County of Imperial is aware of recent press releases issued by Senator Padilla’s Office regarding the proposed Imperial Data Center project. In the interest of transparency and ensuring the public has a complete and accurate understanding of the County’s engagement efforts, the County has submitted a formal letter to Senator Padilla outlining the timeline of communications and meetings to date. That letter is attached for public review.

Imperial County, CA — The California Workforce Development Board convened in the Imperial Valley for a full day of meetings, discussions, and site visits focused on workforce development, education alignment, and the region’s legacy and emerging industries.

The visit was led by Kaina Pereira, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board, alongside Michael Wiafe, Assistant Deputy Director, underscoring the State’s commitment to place-based workforce solutions tailored to regional needs.

Local leaders welcomed state and regional partners at the San Diego State University Imperial Valley Science & Engineering Laboratories in Brawley, a newly opened, state-of-the-art facility designed to expand STEM education and directly support workforce development connected to the region’s growing clean energy and Lithium Valley economy.

“Imperial County is showing how equity-focused, regionally based workforce strategies can open doors to good jobs while meeting the talent needs of growing industries,” said Kaina Pereira, Executive Director, California Workforce Development Board. “By aligning education and training with regional priorities – from agriculture to clean energy – we are strengthening collaboration among local partners to expand opportunity and grow the regional economy.” 

The day began with guided tours of the Science & Engineering Laboratories, officially opened in August 2025. The facility represents a significant public investment in place-based talent development, providing hands-on instructional and research space that supports aligned STEM pathways, applied learning, and regional economic growth.

Workforce conversations throughout the day were grounded in the realities of the Imperial Valley. A legacy industry spotlight highlighted agriculture and food systems, focusing on workforce needs across production, research, and ag-technology, as well as strategies to support innovation, irrigation efficiency, and workforce transitions into emerging ag-tech roles.

The visit also included a stop at the Imperial Valley Research Center, where participants learned about ongoing agricultural research, innovation, and applied science supporting crop production, sustainability, and workforce training in the region. State leaders expressed strong interest in the Center’s potential to further align research, education, and workforce development, particularly as agriculture continues to intersect with technology, climate resilience, and emerging career pathways.

A working lunch brought together leaders from Imperial County Workforce Development, Imperial Valley College, and San Diego State University Imperial Valley to discuss education and workforce alignment, regional capacity and funding challenges, and opportunities to strengthen coordinated career pathways responsive to current and emerging labor market needs.

“This convening underscores the importance of coordinated workforce solutions that reflect the unique strengths and needs of Imperial County. Through strong partnerships with our local colleges, universities, and employers, we are expanding access to training and careers that support economic growth and community resilience,” said Priscilla A. Lopez, Director of Workforce & Economic Development, Imperial County.

Additional local leaders participating in the discussions included Efrain Silva, Dean of Workforce & Economic Development, Imperial Valley College and Board Member, Imperial County Workforce Development Board; Dr. Gina Núñez-Mchiri, Dean, San Diego State University Imperial Valley; and John McMillan, AVP of Economic Development, San Diego State University.

The afternoon featured presentations and discussions focused on clean energy, geothermal development, and Lithium Valley. Presenters included Vince Signorotti, Vice President of Government Relations for EnergySource Minerals, Mark Gran, Community Relations Manager for CalEnergy, Imperial County Supervisor Ryan Kelley, and Imperial County Assistant CEO Bari Bean, who shared insights on project timelines, workforce demand, training capacity, and the importance of local hiring and wraparound support as large-scale energy and critical minerals projects advance.

Participants then joined Assistant CEO Bari Bean for a guided Lithium Valley driving tour, highlighting existing geothermal facilities, and the region’s geothermal mud pots, while providing updates on planning efforts, community engagement, and workforce opportunities tied to future development. The visit wrapped up with a stop at Westmorland Date Shake, allowing visitors to experience and support one of the areas local small businesses that features both honey and dates from the region.

Imperial County also extends its thanks to Dr. Gina Núñez-Mchiri, Dean of San Diego State University Imperial Valley, for welcoming participants into the campus and laboratory spaces, as well as to the Imperial County Workforce Development team for their coordination, leadership, and ongoing commitment to building a skilled local workforce.

###

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors is announcing updates to its 2026 meeting calendar and Board Rules, following approval at the January 13th Board meeting. These updates, effective February 3, 2026, are designed to enhance transparency, public participation, and operational efficiency.

Key Updates to Board Rules:

Roles of Board Chairperson – Public Participation: A new provision (Bullet No. 3) has been added to clarify public participation in meetings.

Procedural Rules – Order of Business: Beginning February 3, meetings will start at8:30 a.m. and return to Open Session at 10:00 a.m.

Right of Public to Address Board: A new Section C. has been added to provide additional guidance for members of the public wishing to address the Board

The updated 2026 Board of Supervisors Meeting Calendar and Board Rules are available on the County’s BoS website https://board.imperialcounty.org/. The County encourages all residents to review these updates and participate in upcoming meetings.