Seattle’s data center moratorium moves forward
Seattle's Land Use and Sustainability Committee unanimously voted to advance a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers to the full City Council. This proposed ban aims to allow the city to study regulations amid significant public concern over electricity, water use, environmental impacts, and noise. Public opposition has led some developers to withdraw their plans, and the measure is supported by Mayor Katie Wilson.
The Seattle Land Use and Sustainability Committee unanimously voted to advance a proposed one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers to the full City Council. If enacted, the ban would apply to data centers using over 20 megavolt-amperes, allowing the city to study potential regulations for such facilities. The committee's decision follows significant public outcry, with the majority of 30 public commenters expressing concerns about data centers' electricity and water consumption, environmental and financial impacts, land use, and noise, alongside broader opposition to artificial intelligence.
Committee Chair Eddie Lin, a co-sponsor of the moratorium bill, cited worries about the increased reliance on fossil fuels that "mega data centers" might necessitate. An amendment was passed to permit existing data centers to expand up to the 20 MVA threshold, acknowledging their role in the city's digital infrastructure. Public officials have received over 54,000 messages on the issue, and Mayor Katie Wilson supports the moratorium. The controversy has already led several developers to withdraw plans for large data centers in Seattle. The full City Council is scheduled to consider the moratorium bill on June 9.