Protest over Amazon Wallula Gap data center: Aug. 12, 2026
Protesters gathered against Amazon's planned data center in the Wallula Gap, Washington, expressing concerns about increased power bills and water supply impacts. Amazon hosted an open house to discuss the project, but residents left with unanswered questions, particularly regarding efficiency claims and the lack of a Q&A session.
On August 12, 2026, a group of protesters rallied against Amazon's proposed multi-billion-dollar data center in the Wallula Gap, Washington. The demonstration took place outside Columbia High School in Burbank, coinciding with an open house hosted by Amazon to discuss the project with local residents.
Protesters voiced strong opposition, citing worries over potential increases in power bills and the impact on the local water supply. Some attendees also expressed concerns about job displacement due to AI, with one individual claiming AI had already taken their job and warned of further impacts.
Amazon representatives stated the data center would be highly efficient, using water for cooling only 7% of the year, and would not raise energy costs. However, residents who attended the open house reported that their questions and concerns remained unaddressed, largely due to the absence of a Q&A session. It remains unclear if Amazon plans further community engagement on the project.