Report: Data Centers Threaten State’s Climate Goals

A new report from the environmental advocacy group Columbia Riverkeeper has found that the rapid expansion of data centers in Washington and Oregon is threatening the region’s shift to renewable energy. The report identified over 100 data centers either completed or in progress across 12 counties bordering the Columbia River. It warns that power demand is expected to soar as a result, with tech companies turning to fossil fuels to provide power instead of renewable sources. The report calls on state leaders to impose more regulations on data centers, including transparency around water and energy use as well as a ban on fossil fuels and new nuclear. It also urges tech companies to be responsible for developing new renewable energy to supply the centers, in order to help the region stay on track to meet its climate goals. Opponents argue that data center operators like Microsoft and Amazon have fought hard against transparency measures, and are calling for a moratorium on construction of any new data centers in the region.