Spokane County commissioners propose 9-month moratorium on data centers
Spokane County Commissioners are proposing a 9-month moratorium on data centers, following a 1-year ban passed by the city of Spokane. The proposed ban aims to allow staff to study the impacts of data centers on the environment, utilities, and economy, and to develop new local regulations. This comes amidst concerns from residents about water usage, energy costs, and infrastructure demands.
Spokane County Commissioners Chris Jordan and Amber Waldref have proposed a 9-month moratorium on new data center building permits for Spokane County. This proposal comes roughly a month after the city of Spokane enacted its own 1-year moratorium on such developments.
The proposed county-wide ban is intended to provide staff with an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive work plan. This study would assess the potential effects of data centers on Spokane County's health, safety, economy, welfare, and natural environment. It also mandates engagement with regional stakeholders, including electric utilities, local government planning departments, and water purveyors, to coordinate planning efforts and adapt to any future state laws in 2027.
Commissioners Jordan and Waldref cited paused negotiations between utility provider Avista and a large load carrier as a reason for the pause. They also highlighted significant public concern regarding who would bear the costs of necessary utility infrastructure and power generation, along with impacts on water resources from the region's aquifer, energy affordability, and noise. The proposal directs county staff to develop local rules defining data centers, addressing appropriate zoning, and tackling power and water issues.
Conversely, Todd Myers, CEO of the Washington Policy Center, expressed skepticism about the need for new regulations, arguing that existing rules already cover data center development, including water usage. He noted that modern data centers often employ closed-loop cooling systems that significantly reduce freshwater consumption. Myers also pointed to potential economic benefits, suggesting that data centers could lower residential electricity rates by contributing a higher portion of fixed costs and warned that moratoriums could impede the state's tech industry growth. The potential moratorium is slated for discussion during the commissioners' meeting on July 21st.