Spokane protesters push back on proposed data center plan
Community members in Spokane, Washington, protested a proposed data center, citing concerns about water use and impacts on agriculture. Following the protests, Avista paused negotiations for the project, and the City of Spokane enacted a one-year moratorium on data center permit applications.
Community members in Spokane, Washington, gathered outside Avista headquarters to protest a proposed data center. Avista, an energy provider, initially did not confirm the project involved a data center but later did so following public pressure.
Demonstrators expressed concerns about the potential impacts of data centers on farming, agriculture, technology, and local water resources, with one protester, Ashliegh Brokken, stating, "Our water is going to waste. It might be money to them but it’s death to us."
In response to the public outcry, Avista announced it had paused negotiations regarding the data center project. The company did not disclose the potential location of the facility. Additionally, the City of Spokane adopted a one-year moratorium on data center permit applications within its city limits.