Councilmembers introducing moratorium on data centers in Seattle

Seattle City Councilmembers Debora Juarez (District 5), Eddie Lin (District 2), and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) have announced their intention to introduce an emergency moratorium on the siting of new data centers in Seattle. The proposed bill will implement a 365-day ban on new data center developments, paired with a resolution calling for comprehensive impact studies on city infrastructure, water usage, utility rates, land use, jobs, and public health. Councilmember Lin, prime sponsor of the moratorium, highlighted concerns that "mega data centers" are driving up utility costs for residents and small businesses, while increasing air, water, and noise pollution. He emphasized that "thousands of Seattleites have made their voices heard" against subsidizing large tech corporations, especially given existing pollution burdens in South Seattle. Council President Hollingsworth underscored the need for safeguards to protect communities and the environment, stressing the importance of understanding the "second-hand effects" of these facilities, particularly on utility rates. Councilmember Juarez, prime sponsor of the resolution, raised ethical questions about prioritizing short-term gain over finite resources. The push for the moratorium follows reports that four companies have approached Seattle City Light about building five large-scale data centers, which would have a combined maximum demand of 369 megawatts, enough to power approximately 300,000 homes. These would be the first data centers of this size in the area, amidst nationally increasing demand driven by AI and other technology sectors. The City Council has reportedly received thousands of emails from residents expressing concerns. The draft resolution defines data centers and requests reports on their potential impact across various domains, including electrical grid capacity, environmental sustainability, and public health. It also calls for inter-departmental cooperation from the Mayor’s Office to develop policies and guide future legislation. The proposed moratorium would take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council, requiring a public hearing within 60 days. Following potential votes on the resolution and moratorium, councilmembers are expected to consider an ordinance establishing a separate electricity rate for new high-load customers, including data centers.