Q&A: District 5 candidates discuss data center development, regulation

Candidates for Congressional District 5 in eastern Washington participated in a Q&A with the Union-Bulletin, discussing the appropriate level of federal oversight for data center development. The discussion was prompted by a rapid expansion of data centers across the country, with specific local examples highlighting the tension between development and community concerns. The Port of Walla Walla recently approved the sale of 554 acres in Walla Walla County to Amazon Data Services for the construction of a data center, which subsequently led to a nonpartisan group calling for a moratorium to understand potential environmental and social impacts.

In Spokane, the city council enacted a one-year moratorium on new large data center construction due to energy consumption concerns. Candidates addressed the significant electricity and water demands of data centers, citing studies that show data center power demands are driving up electricity costs and that large centers can consume millions of gallons of water daily. Some candidates, like Womack, advocated for a strong federal role, supporting a proposed Senate bill for a federal moratorium to allow lawmakers time to understand AI risks and implement policies. Others, such as Powell and Conroy, emphasized state and local autonomy in regulation.

Key proposals from candidates included requiring data centers to build their own power generation systems, provide updates to the electrical grid, and be responsible stewards of natural resources like water. Baumgartner, who previously introduced legislation to limit litigation against data centers' environmental reviews, stressed the need to ensure data centers do not increase utility rates for homeowners. Several candidates also highlighted the importance of public consultation, thorough environmental impact studies, and ensuring community benefits are integrated into project proposals to protect local interests and resources.