Snohomish County adopts emergency 6-month ban on data centers

The Snohomish County Council unanimously adopted a six-month emergency moratorium on data centers in unincorporated Snohomish County on June 24. Councilmember Nate Nehring, who moved to approve the measure, emphasized the need for a pause to thoughtfully craft permanent regulations, acknowledging the rapid developments in the AI sector.

The moratorium specifically targets data centers with a planned electrical load of two megawatts or greater, which typically require extensive cooling and backup power systems. Public speakers, including Joan Smith of Edmonds and Julie Winchell from northwest of Arlington, voiced strong support for the ban. They cited concerns about the environmental impact on water and electricity resources, especially given current El Niño conditions and minimal snowpack, and questioned the limited local employment benefits versus potential environmental damage and decreased property values.

While Councilmember Strom Peterson noted that no data centers are currently planned for unincorporated areas, he agreed that the moratorium provides crucial time for research and careful planning. A public hearing is mandated within 60 days of the adoption, with further hearings required if the county seeks to extend the moratorium beyond its initial six-month term.

This decision reflects a growing trend among local governments to proactively address the rapid expansion of the data center industry and its demands on local infrastructure and resources.