Eastern Washington residents turn out for protests at Amazon data center meeting

Residents of Eastern Washington, primarily from Burbank, gathered to protest Amazon's proposed data center at a community open house held at Columbia High School. The planned facility, slated for the Wallula Gap area, has sparked significant opposition, particularly from the Walla Walla Anti-Data Center League.

Jessica Hanson, co-leader of the Walla Walla Anti-Data Center League, explained to reporter Caleb Skipkevich that the project has proceeded largely "behind closed doors." She stated that Amazon initially purchased the land from the Port of Walla Walla under a shell company before its involvement was revealed. Hanson highlighted the primary concerns of the community, focusing on the severe ecological impact, especially regarding water resources. With Washington state experiencing a four-year drought and widespread wildfires, residents fear the data center's substantial water consumption will exacerbate existing environmental challenges, particularly for farmland and livestock.

The protest also emphasizes Amazon's alleged attempt to fast-track the project without completing a comprehensive State Environmental Impact Act (SEPA) analysis or a full Environmental Impact Study (EIS). Protesters are urging Walla Walla County Commissioners to mandate a thorough EIS, citing the project's proximity to the McNary National Wildlife Refuge and Umatilla Native Tribes, and the broader environmental implications for the Columbia River system. They demand factual studies rather than a rushed process.