Airway Heights forum draws concerns over Spokane County data centers
Residents and advocacy groups in Airway Heights, Washington, held a forum to voice concerns over potential data center development in Spokane County. Key issues raised included housing impact, high energy and water consumption, fire risks, sound levels, and the lack of transparency from government officials. Attendees urged Spokane County to extend its existing moratorium on data center development ahead of upcoming public hearings.
Residents and various advocacy groups, including 350 Spokane, the Lands Council, Spokane Riverkeeper, and the West Plains Water Coalition, hosted a "People's Public Forum on Data Centers" in Airway Heights, Washington. The event, held at the Hilton Garden Inn, was packed with attendees eager to voice their concerns and prepare statements for upcoming Spokane County public hearings on data center planning.
Speakers at the forum highlighted a range of issues stemming from potential data center development. Concerns included the strain on housing, significant energy and power demands, potential fire risks, and the long-term impacts once projects become vested under county ordinances. Residents specifically pointed out that data centers, on average, create only about 150 jobs, a trade-off they deemed unfavorable for the estimated 1000MW of power consumption and up to one billion gallons of water per year. Other worries involved noise pollution affecting both people and animals, and a general call for greater transparency from government officials.
A prominent demand from the forum was for Spokane County to extend its current moratorium on data center development, with one resident suggesting a multi-year pause. Organizers encouraged participants to attend public hearings on data center planning scheduled for September 15 and October 15, where the issue is expected to be decided within the next four months.