Skagit County hits pause on data centers to protect natural resources
Skagit County commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on data center construction in unincorporated areas to protect farmlands and water resources. This pause allows the county's planning department to develop specific regulations for future data center proposals. The decision addresses local concerns about the impact of data centers on natural resources and utility strain.
Skagit County Commissioners held a public hearing to discuss a six-month moratorium on data centers in the county's unincorporated areas, a measure that was approved last month. The primary objective of this moratorium is to protect natural resources, particularly farmland and water, from the potential impacts of data center development.
Residents and county leaders voiced strong support for the moratorium, emphasizing the need to ensure that future development aligns with environmental protection goals. Concerns were raised about data centers' high energy consumption and significant water usage for cooling systems, as well as the unsuitability of placing large electronic facilities in floodplains. The consensus was that the county needs to establish appropriate regulations to guide any future data center proposals.
The moratorium temporarily halts the acceptance of permit applications for data centers larger than 2,000 square feet with an electrical load of 2 megawatts or more. Although the county has not yet received any specific data center proposals, leaders stressed the importance of being prepared with clear conditions. Jason Solowski, reporting live from Mount Vernon, noted that the moratorium can be renewed after six months if necessary.