Real Estate Day at Cal Poly Discusses Controversial Data Centers

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) - California Polytechnic State University is hosting Real Estate Day from noon to 5 p.m. at the Chumash Auditorium on campus to examine the growing demand, infrastructure requirements, financing and public opposition surrounding data centers.

The event comes as tech companies plan to construct thousands of new facilities across the nation to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure.

According to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, there are currently more than 5,200 data centers operating in the United States, with more than 2,000 additional facilities planned.

While these facilities bring private investment, construction jobs and local tax revenue, public resistance is widespread. 

A recent Gallup Poll shows that 70% of Americans oppose having data centers built in their local communities.

Data centers require substantial resources to operate, particularly water and electricity. 

A single large data center can demand 200 megawatts of electricity, which is equal to the energy used by all of San Luis Obispo County and represents nearly 10% of the power generated by the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.

Resource demands and environmental concerns have turned data centers into a key political topic ahead of elections. 

On California's Central Coast, where open space, agriculture and tourism are key regional priorities, proposed facilities face careful scrutiny. 

Real Estate Day is featuring several panel discussions exploring industry trends, site selection and potential Central Coast developments.

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