County Commissioners considering longer data center pause
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners is considering extending its temporary pause on approvals for new data center developments from December 15 until June. The extension would give county planners more time to develop data center regulations amid criticism from activists that the existing pause is too short.
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners is considering replacing its current four-month pause on new data center approvals with a moratorium lasting until June. The existing pause, adopted in August and scheduled to end Dec. 15, was intended to give county planners time to develop zoning and other regulations for facilities that consume large amounts of electricity.
Activists have criticized the county’s initial pause as insufficient for developing effective data center policy. Extending it would provide planners with nearly six additional months to complete regulations before the county considers applications for new facilities.