Regulatory failures in industrial zoning often concentrate communities of color next to hazardous areas due to the legacy of redlining. Historical practices that systematically denied credit to Black and immigrant neighborhoods informed land-use decisions that continue to place data centers and other polluting industries near these "hazardous" graded zones

Key Facts

At a Glance:

• The Legacy of Redlining: Neighborhoods graded "D" (hazardous) in the 1930s remain the primary sites for industrial placement today, isolating communities of color (Haley M. Lane, et al.).
• Respiratory Impact: One census tract in the Del Paso Heights area recorded asthma rates in the 100th percentile—the highest in the state.
• Urban Heat Islands: These historically redlined areas often lack sufficient air monitoring infrastructure and suffer from extreme urban heat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• Q: How do 1930s policies affect data center siting today?

A: Though official discriminatory policies ended in 1968, the patterns of racial residential segregation they created still guide local governments to zone data centers in areas with lower economic barriers and existing pollution

• Q: What health outcomes are linked to these zoning inequities?

A: Residents in these industrial zones face significantly higher risks of adverse birth outcomes, cancer, and overall poor urban health.

Case Study: Del Paso Heights, California

Del Paso Heights in Sacramento is one of those neighborhoods. Through racist public housing policies and deliberate urban planning, Black and Latino residents were pushed into this area when downtown Sacramento was developed.

Today, parts of Del Paso Heights rank in the top 6% most polluted areas in all of California. One census tract has the highest asthma rate in the state — the 100th percentile. The area is also an "urban heat island," meaning it traps more heat than surrounding areas.

Two data centers are located near this community.

Source: The Kapor Foundation

Events:

Working Session on Gateway 1: Site Selection & Land Acquisition

Working Session on Gateway 2: Power & Utility Connections

Working Session on Gateway 6: Construction & Operational Permits

Resources/ Sources:

• Haley M. Lane, et al.: Historical Redlining Is Associated with Present-Day Air Pollution Disparities in U.S. Cities. This study finds a strong correlation between 1930s discriminatory housing policies and higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in those same neighborhoods today.
• Kapor Foundation: Data Centers & Environmental Justice. This report details the significant water and energy consumption of data centers and the resulting public health risks for marginalized communities living near these facilities.