Airway Heights considers data center request
The City of Airway Heights is considering an unnamed data center company's request to purchase reclaimed water for a proposed data center and green hydrogen facility in Spokane County. This proposal has generated significant public opposition due to concerns over water and electricity resources, while Spokane County debates a new moratorium and the City of Spokane has already enacted a ban on data centers.
Airway Heights, Washington, is currently evaluating a request from an unnamed data center company proposing to build a data center and green hydrogen production facility in Spokane County. The company seeks to purchase the city's reclaimed water for cooling purposes, a move that has sparked significant public backlash. Residents voiced concerns about the strain on local water and power grids, especially given ongoing drought conditions, and highlighted potential air and noise pollution.
In response to the community's worries, the City of Airway Heights has requested that the company pay over $100,000 for a study to identify the potential community impacts before any decision is made. This development occurs as utility provider Avista's agreement with a data center customer has been paused, allowing for further discussions with the community and local government agencies.
The broader Spokane region is grappling with data center development policies. The City of Spokane has already enacted a one-year ban on data centers, and Spokane County is actively debating a nine-month moratorium. The county's discussion recently drew dozens of residents to a commissioner's meeting, where they expressed strong opposition. Airway Heights is expected to decide on moving forward with the impact analysis this month.