Rural Klickitat County faces surge in data center proposals

At least six hyperscale data center proposals are moving through early feasibility and power-request stages in Klickitat County, Washington. Developers have sought access to as much as 5,655.5 megawatts from the Bonneville Power Administration and Klickitat Public Utility District, although no site permits have been filed and no construction has begun. A project backed by Blue Owl Capital at the former aluminum smelter site has secured a formal BPA transmission agreement for 160 megawatts, while other proposals are associated with Lakeside Industries, Shell Energy and its subsidiary Savion, and properties in Dallesport and elsewhere in the county.

Residents, including White Salmon resident Jenn Sharp, are petitioning county commissioners to adopt a temporary moratorium while a permanent data center ordinance is developed. Commissioner Todd Andrews previously presented a draft six-month moratorium, but commissioners Lori Zoller and Ron Ihrig have favored completing permanent regulations instead. The proposed ordinance would cover facilities of at least 20 megawatts and impose requirements including a one-mile residential setback. Residents have also criticized KPUD commissioners for signing nondisclosure agreements with developers, though the utility says it intends to discontinue new agreements while honoring existing ones.