Skagit County, WA weighs AI data centers as farmers fight for land
Skagit County, Washington, is facing a growing debate over the development of AI data centers, prompting concerns from local farmers about the facilities' impact on limited farmland and water resources. The county recently enacted a six-month moratorium on new data centers and is now considering an outright ban. A public meeting is scheduled for residents to weigh in on the issue.
Skagit County, Washington, has become a focal point for debate surrounding the proliferation of AI data centers, with local farmers and community leaders raising significant concerns regarding their impact on the region's finite agricultural land and water supply. Crop farmer Darrin Morrison, whose family has farmed in Mount Vernon for a century, expressed worries about data centers consuming tens and fifties of acres, comparing it to past threats from malls and large housing developments.
Responding to these concerns, Skagit County has already imposed a six-month moratorium on new data center developments. Discussions are now underway to potentially escalate this emergency pause to a permanent ban. Patsy Good, a fifth-generation farmer and Skagit Valley Planning Commissioner, highlighted water as a primary concern, noting the thousands of gallons data centers require for cooling and the existing demands on the Skagit River for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and tribal fishing rights. Energy consumption and its potential effect on costs are also part of the debate.
The Skagit Valley Planning Commission is actively considering these issues as the county determines its long-term stance on data center development. Members of the public were invited to provide input at a commission meeting on Tuesday evening, reflecting the ongoing community engagement on this critical land-use and resource management issue.