Spokane City Council approves yearlong moratorium on new large data centers
The Spokane City Council has approved a yearlong emergency moratorium on new large data centers within city limits. This decision stems from concerns about the potential strain on energy and water resources, and follows a utility company's paused negotiations for a major data center project. The pause will allow the city to develop permanent regulations for future data center developments.
The Spokane City Council approved a yearlong emergency moratorium on new large data centers by a 6-1 vote on Monday night. Councilman Michael Cathcart was the sole dissenter, expressing concerns that the moratorium might inadvertently impact the planned Spokane Aerospace Tech Hub, a project city officials have long supported.
The decision comes weeks after reports that the utility company Avista was in discussions with a potential customer for a 500-megawatt data center, a project that would demand power equivalent to half of Spokane County's current residential and business usage. Amid public and council concerns regarding environmental and ratepayer impacts, Avista subsequently paused these negotiations. City officials speculate that any such data center might locate outside city limits but could still rely on Spokane for water supply, though Mayor Lisa Brown noted the city's limited authority to deny water service.
The council's aim for the moratorium is to establish a regulatory framework for data centers before large projects become unmanageable. The approved measure included an amendment by Councilman Zack Zappone to prevent loopholes seen in a similar Seattle City Council moratorium, ensuring the ban applies to the activity of data processing rather than just facility types. While some public members voiced strong opposition to any data center development, citing concerns about water and energy consumption, pollution, and minimal economic benefits, others, like Cathcart, acknowledged the need for a pause while advocating for an exemption for the tech hub.
The moratorium also addresses broader regional concerns, as a preliminary report from the state Department of Revenue highlights data centers as the largest source of anticipated load growth in the Pacific Northwest, with significant projected increases in electricity demand by 2030 and beyond. Environmental concerns include water consumption, potential discharge of heated or polluted coolant, air pollution from power generation and diesel generators, and noise pollution, including infrasound. Councilwoman Sarah Dixit emphasized the moratorium's role in protecting community resources amid climate change challenges.