Spokane City Council delays vote on data center moratorium
The Spokane City Council delayed a vote on an emergency ordinance that would have enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center development in the city. The measure failed to be added to the agenda after council members requested more information. Community backlash and environmental concerns, particularly regarding water and electricity usage, prompted the proposed moratorium after Avista announced it could take on a new data center customer.
The Spokane City Council failed to move forward with a proposed emergency ordinance that would have established a one-year moratorium on new data center construction and expansion within city limits. Council members voted down a motion to add the ordinance to the agenda, citing the need for more information before considering such a significant measure.
The proposed moratorium was initiated by three City Council members, including Paul Dillon, following community backlash after Avista Utilities announced a potential partnership with a large electricity customer, later confirmed to be a data center developer. The ordinance aimed to give Spokane time to evaluate the impact of data centers on water conservation protocols, economic development plans, and utility rates, while also coordinating with county and state entities on regulations.
Councilmember Michael Cathcart expressed concerns about voting on the measure without sufficient information, stating it would be "highly inappropriate." Community concerns, as highlighted by Councilmember Dillon, who reported receiving approximately 5,000 messages supporting the ban, focused on environmental impacts, utility rates, and noise. The Spokane Riverkeeper group specifically warned about risks to the Spokane River, which is the city's sole aquifer source.
While acknowledging potential short-term economic gains and job creation from data centers, Councilmember Dillon urged consideration of the long-term regional consequences, including the impact of AI replacing human jobs. The delay means the city will not immediately pause data center applications, but the discussion around stricter rules and impacts continues.