Mount Vernon temporarily bans data centers
The Mount Vernon City Council has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center development to allow the city's planning department to draft specific code language and address concerns. This decision follows similar actions by Skagit County and the town of La Conner, citing issues like electricity and water demand, and location within a floodplain.
The Mount Vernon City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center construction on Wednesday, August 12, becoming the latest municipality in Skagit County, Washington, to pause such developments. The temporary ban aims to provide the city's planning department time to draft specific zoning and code language for data centers, which have become a contentious issue due to increasing demand for computing power.
Concerns voiced by city staff and council members include the significant demand for electricity and water, the city's capacity to accommodate large facilities, stormwater and sewer planning, and Mount Vernon's location within the Skagit River 100-year floodplain. No data centers have yet been proposed in Mount Vernon, making the moratorium a proactive measure. Skagit County enacted a similar moratorium in early June, followed by the town of La Conner in late July.
Council member Andrew Vander Stoep was the sole dissenting vote, referencing a preliminary report from a 2025 state Department of Revenue workgroup. This report highlighted the potential for substantial tax revenue and job creation from data centers, contrasting with environmental impacts and resource demands. Vander Stoep argued that restricting data center development locally might push it to areas with fewer environmental protections. The city council is mandated to hold a public hearing on the moratorium within 60 days of its adoption.