A company proposing a massive West Plains data center has nearly zero history, spurring outcry from concerned residents
Residents in Spokane County, Washington, are voicing strong opposition to a proposed 1,000-megawatt data center by Apricus Energy Partners, citing concerns over water usage, environmental impact, and the developer's questionable history. The Spokane County Planning Commission discussed a potential moratorium on data centers while the county works to establish specific regulations.
Apricus Energy Partners, a company with a sparse operating history and a founder whose listed headquarters is a residential home, is proposing a massive data center and hydrogen production facility on 514 acres of land in the West Plains area of Spokane County, Washington. The project, which could require up to 1,000 megawatts of power, has drawn significant criticism and skepticism from local residents and officials.
At a recent Spokane County Planning Commission meeting, a large crowd of residents expressed strong opposition, citing fears about the data center's impact on water supplies, property values, and exacerbating existing groundwater contamination from PFAS. Speakers like Shawna Robinson of Airway Heights and Adrianne Nott of Spokane Valley highlighted concerns over noise, air pollution, and the strain on critical infrastructure, urging for a moratorium on data center development until adequate regulations are in place.
Spokane County officials are currently grappling with how to regulate such developments, as Planning Director Scott Chesney noted there are no specific county rules for data centers. While Spokane City leaders recently enacted a moratorium, Spokane County commissioners remain split, with Chair Mary Brooks postponing a vote and expressing concerns that a moratorium could signal the county is "closed for business." Meanwhile, an engineering study by Avista Utilities indicates that delivering the full 1,000 megawatts by 2033 would require substantial new infrastructure costing around $184 million.
Apricus's founder, Sean P. Boyd, claims the data center is ancillary to his primary goal of hydrogen production, promising clean energy and carbon neutrality through methods like electrolysis of treated wastewater. However, past ventures, including a solar and hydrogen proposal at Livermore Municipal Airport in California and a energy facility proposal with the Kalispel Tribe, reportedly failed or were rejected due to lack of interest or the company's unproven track record, further fueling community doubts about the project's viability and benefits.