Spokane City Council delays vote on data center moratorium
The Spokane City Council delayed a vote on an emergency ordinance that would have created a one-year moratorium on new data center development. Council members stated they needed more information before advancing the measure, which was proposed due to community concerns about environmental impact, utility rates, and noise following Avista's announcement regarding a potential data center customer.
The Spokane City Council has postponed action on a proposed emergency ordinance that would establish a one-year moratorium on data center construction or expansion within city limits. The measure failed to be added to the agenda after several council members, including Michael Cathcart, voiced the need for more information before considering such a significant decision.
The proposal for a moratorium followed Avista's announcement that it could accommodate a new data center customer, a move that was subsequently paused due to public backlash. Community opposition, described by Council member Paul Dillon as unprecedented in volume, centers on potential impacts to water conservation protocols, particularly the Spokane River, and concerns about electricity rates, noise, and broader economic development. The proposed ordinance aimed to provide the city time to evaluate these effects and coordinate with county and state entities on new regulations.