Google data center could be approved before San Jose sets standards

San Jose could approve at least one significant data center before its development standards are finalized. This would allow the developer to skirt limitations on noise, emissions, audits and more in spite of the mayor promising to implement the strictest data center standards in the U.S. Google’s data center project in Alviso — which the company has referred to as a research and development lab — could come up for approval before the end of the year, Deputy City Manager Manuel Pineda said. The project located at 5087 Disk Drive would require 250 megawatts — enough to power 250,000 households. Advocates fear developers will aim to push projects through before standards are set, because any projects approved before the standards are finalized will be exempt. The City Council is expected to vote on the development standards in December. Mayor Matt Mahan declined to comment on how the city will ensure data center projects mitigate health and environmental concerns if approved before the s