Seattle City Council unanimously backs temporary moratorium on new data centers
Seattle City Council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development and a resolution to study their impacts, citing immense public outcry over potential environmental, infrastructure, and economic effects. This emergency measure aims to prevent new large-scale data centers while the city conducts comprehensive impact studies, with reports and proposed legislation expected by January 2027.
The Seattle City Council unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development and adopted a resolution to establish a policy framework for evaluating such proposals. The swift action on Tuesday followed significant public outcry regarding the potential environmental, infrastructure, and economic impacts of large data centers in the region.
Amended Council Bill 121214, sponsored by Councilmember Eddie Lin and Council President Joy Hollingsworth, imposes a temporary halt on new data center construction while the city conducts comprehensive impact studies. The legislation defines data centers as facilities exceeding 20 megavolt-amperes of power capacity and requiring uninterrupted service. This moratorium, which took effect immediately as an emergency measure, can be extended for an additional six months if needed.
The council's decision was prompted by April reports that four unnamed companies had approached Seattle City Light about building five large-scale data centers with a combined maximum demand of 369 megawatts, enough to power approximately 300,000 homes. Officials and residents expressed concerns about increased utility costs and environmental consequences, with one resident advocating for a "permanent, outright ban on AI data centers right now."
Additionally, amended Resolution 32204, sponsored by Councilmember Debora Juarez, directs city departments and the Mayor's Office to study the effects of high-density computing facilities on electrical grid capacity, water use, utility rates, land use, employment, and public health. An interdepartmental team will lead this research, with proposed legislation and reports due by January 2027.