Airway Height discusses data center proposal
The City of Airway Heights is discussing a data center proposal that would use its reclaimed water for cooling. The city has requested the unnamed company fund a feasibility study, amid community opposition citing concerns over strained water and power resources. This development occurs as Spokane County considers a nine-month data center moratorium and the City of Spokane has already implemented a one-year ban.
The City of Airway Heights is engaged in discussions with an undisclosed data center customer regarding a proposed facility in Spokane County. The company seeks to utilize the city's reclaimed water for its cooling operations. While the city has not yet made a decision on the proposal, it has requested the company cover the cost of a feasibility study to assess the potential impacts on the community.
This proposal has met with significant community opposition. Residents express concerns about the strain on existing infrastructure, specifically citing that the local water system and power grid are already taxed. One resident questioned the urgency and necessity of the project, stating, "Our water system is taxed, our uh power grid is taxed, and all this is going to do is suck more out."
The Airway Heights discussions are part of a broader regional context regarding data center development. In recent months, Avista paused negotiations with a potential data center, and the City of Spokane enacted a one-year ban on new data centers. Furthermore, Spokane County is currently considering implementing a nine-month moratorium on data center construction. The City of Airway Heights is expected to decide whether to proceed with the feasibility study at a later date.