San Jose approves plans for massive server farm

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- San Jose officials Tuesday night approved plans for a massive new "server farm" in the city that the mayor said should be built only if it could generate its own electricity.

The Internet hosting center proposed by US Dataport Inc. is expected to need up to 180 megawatts of power -- enough for roughly 180,000 homes -- when it is completed in the next five years.

The City Council voted 10-1 to give US Dataport clearance for the center, but required that the company find a way to create its own clean power supply, without using the diesel generators that other Web hosting facilities commonly use for backup power.

The council also followed Mayor Ron Gonzales' recommendation that US Dataport set aside land for the preservation of wildlife and open space.

US Dataport's president and CEO, Grant Sedgwick, indicated in a statement released by Gonzales' office Monday that the company was prepared to comply with the mayor's recommendations. A company spokesman did not return a call seeking further comment Tuesday.

Gonzales contended that the new Web hosting center would be important to the region's economy. Not only could it generate $7 million a year in tax revenue, he said, but it also could help ensure that Silicon Valley companies that need Web hosting services stay in the area.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2001