Skagit County, WA weighs AI data centers as farmers fight for land | FOX 13 Seattle
Skagit County, Washington, has enacted a six-month moratorium on new data centers due to concerns over land and water usage. Farmers and residents are opposing data center development, prompting the county to consider a permanent ban. The county's planning commission is weighing the environmental and community impacts of these facilities.
Skagit County, Washington, is currently grappling with the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which require significant land and water resources. The county recently imposed a six-month moratorium on new data center developments to allow time to consider their long-term impact.
Darren Morrison, whose family has farmed potatoes in the area for over a century, voiced concerns about losing arable land and the intense competition for water. He highlighted that water is crucial for irrigation, but the Skagit River already serves Seattle for hydroelectric power and supports tribal fishing rights. Data centers also demand tens of thousands of gallons of water for cooling their servers, intensifying the water crisis.
Paty Good, a Skagit County Planning Commissioner, is evaluating these concerns. The county is now considering a proposal to move beyond the temporary moratorium and implement an outright ban on data centers. This discussion reflects a broader community debate over balancing technological growth with preserving agricultural land and critical natural resources.