AI Data Centers Expand in Washington's Pend Oreille County Amidst Energy and Water Discussions
Construction is underway for Krambu's new AI data center in Newport, Pend Oreille County, Washington, while Merkle Standard transitions its operations to AI work. Both companies are engaging with the Pend Oreille Public Utility District for electrical services and addressing community concerns about water and energy usage through closed-loop cooling systems and heat recapture efforts. The projects highlight the evolving data center landscape and its local economic and environmental impacts.
Pend Oreille County, Washington, is seeing the expansion of AI data centers, with mixed community reactions regarding energy and water consumption versus potential economic benefits. Krambu, a Coeur d'Alene-based company, is constructing a new 1-acre AI data center in Newport, investing over $2 million and planning to utilize a closed-loop water system and heat recapture for sustainability. Travis Jank, Krambu founder and president, aims for net-zero water consumption, and the company plans to use recaptured heat for a prototype greenhouse.
Simultaneously, Merkle Standard, a cryptocurrency mining facility in Usk, is transitioning to AI work. Merkle Standard and Krambu have secured Electric Service Agreements with the Pend Oreille Public Utility District (PUD), classifying them as large industrial customers who purchase power on the wholesale market, thus not impacting residential rates, according to PUD public information officer Joe Hathaway. Merkle Standard, through its parent company Allrise Capital, also owns two older data center sites at Highway 2 and Telephone Road East.
Both companies emphasize their contributions to the local economy, with Merkle Standard providing 30 full-time jobs and significant property tax revenue, benefiting local schools, hospitals, and fire districts. Merkle Standard officials also highlight the company's role in providing grid stability and power access to the PUD, including during the January 2024 polar vortex. Former Krambu CEO Steve Wood stressed the need for data centers to be built in harmony with local communities, acknowledging the learning curve for the state regarding this new industry.