What we know so far about Amazon's proposed data center in Walla Walla County

Amazon Data Services is moving forward with plans for a data center campus in Walla Walla County, Washington, having purchased approximately 554 acres at the Wallula Gap Business Park from the Port of Walla Walla. The company is seeking a site development permit and environmental review, but its application was deemed incomplete by the Walla Walla County Community Development Department due to a missing Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA).

Amidst the development, a nonpartisan group, the Walla Walla Anti-Data Center League, has formed to demand a moratorium on the project, citing concerns about a lack of transparency and potential environmental and social impacts, including significant water and electricity consumption. Environmental groups, including Earthjustice on behalf of the League and Columbia Riverkeeper, have submitted a letter to the county claiming Amazon's environmental checklist has gaps and requesting further information or an Environmental Impact Statement.

Amazon has announced it will submit the completed TIA by the August 24 deadline and is hosting a community open house on August 11 at Columbia High School in Burbank to address residents' questions about the proposed five-building campus, which includes two fiber sunrooms, evaporation ponds, a power substation, and a septic field. The company plans to use groundwater initially, transitioning to Columbia River irrigation water rights converted for municipal and industrial use by 2029. Melissa Shumake, Director of Walla Walla County Community Development, urged patience for the full application and SEPA review process, noting the opposition's letter was premature. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are also involved in confidential mitigation processes under NEPA, reiterating concerns about transparency and treaty rights in data center development along the Columbia River.