California Resources Corporation has unveiled plans for a large data center campus in an active oil field in the state's Central Valley. The project aims to leverage existing infrastructure to minimize community opposition. Environmental groups have raised concerns about increased emissions.
California Resources Corporation announced the proposal Monday for the Golden Valley Technology Hub, a 600,000-square-foot facility on 100 acres inside the Elk Hills oil field in Kern County. The site sits more than a mile from the nearest homes and will draw power from an existing 550-megawatt natural gas plant that currently runs below capacity.
Company executives described the project as responsible development that will create at least 1,500 union construction jobs and up to 250 permanent positions while using a closed-loop cooling system that consumes minimal water. The plan includes noise barriers and community funding for local infrastructure.
Environmental advocates at Earthjustice disputed those claims, arguing that increased gas power production will worsen air quality in an already polluted area. They called for zero-emission energy sources instead and noted ongoing litigation over a related carbon capture project at the site.
The proposal is part of a broader trend of data centers sited near oil and gas operations in Texas and Pennsylvania, where remote locations and available power reduce typical local resistance.
