Spokane County Commissioner Al French talks data center controversy
Spokane County Commissioner Al French defended his involvement with Apricus and a proposed West Plains data center linked to a hydrogen production facility. He said the project must use reclaimed water, secure its own power, pay all infrastructure costs and comply with a countywide data center zoning ordinance, while acknowledging strong community opposition and an existing moratorium.
Spokane County Commissioner Al French said he has worked with Apricus on a proposal that would pair a data center in the West Plains with hydrogen production and renewable energy. French said the data center could help treat and preheat water for hydrogen manufacturing, but stressed that his primary interest is developing local clean-energy and hydrogen infrastructure rather than the data center itself.
French said the proposal remains uncertain because Apricus must identify adequate power and meet new county requirements. He said he would not support using potable water, shifting infrastructure costs to utility ratepayers or harming the Spokane-Prairie Aquifer. Spokane County is developing a countywide zoning ordinance for data centers, and French urged residents with concerns to submit them to county officials and the Planning Commission.
The commissioner also defended his support for state legislation providing economic incentives for data centers and said his meetings and communications with developers are part of the public record. Community members continue to criticize the proposal and question French's role, while a moratorium remains in place during the county's regulatory process.