Washington joins national push to unplug data centers
Multiple jurisdictions in Washington state, including Seattle, have enacted temporary bans on new data center construction due to concerns over rising electricity costs and high water usage. This comes amidst growing national public opposition, with a recent survey indicating 75% of Americans are against data centers in their communities. Critics, like Don Marsh of the Washington Clean Energy Coalition, highlight unaddressed external costs like carbon emissions and water use.
A Heatmap News survey reveals that 75% of Americans oppose data center development in their communities, a sentiment echoed in Washington state where Seattle and at least ten other local jurisdictions have imposed temporary moratoriums on new data center construction. Concerns cited include increasing electricity costs and significant water consumption, particularly in drought-affected regions.
Don Marsh, chair of the Washington Clean Energy Coalition, expressed sympathy for this opposition, advocating for responsible AI use that accounts for external costs such as carbon emissions and water usage. He noted that many AI companies are currently unprofitable, questioning the economic sustainability of their data center demands. Marsh criticized Washington state's lack of a clear data center policy, highlighting that restrictions often originate from local pushback rather than statewide guidance. He also pointed out that Governor Ferguson's working group, established last year, was heavily influenced by industry giants like Microsoft and Amazon, leading to a perceived imbalance in addressing community impacts on energy prices, water availability, air quality, and noise.
Marsh further criticized the reliance on gas power for many new data centers, which he states contradicts Washington’s emissions reduction goals. However, he also offered a positive example, mentioning a new Google facility in Minnesota powered by wind, solar, and a large battery system, suggesting that other companies could adopt similar sustainable practices.