Amazon’s Gilroy Data Center Project Sparks Concerns Over Water Use and Approval Transparency

Amazon's new data center project in Gilroy, California, has drawn attention from local residents. Spanning 22.7 hectares and formerly used as farmland, the project has been mired in a long-standing dispute with local authorities over the approval process since its application was submitted in 2020. Some residents said they only became aware of the project when construction began, noting that the public review period had already ended in 2024, leaving them little opportunity to voice concerns. Amazon is advancing the project under Gilroy’s land-use plan established 45 years ago, thereby bypassing further environmental review. The company responded by stating it had held open-house events to engage with the community and emphasized that the data center will feature a wastewater recycling system capable of meeting its own water needs. Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo highlighted that the project will generate tax revenue and create jobs for the city.