Residents urge County to slow down on data centers
Klickitat County residents urged commissioners to slow down data center development at a recent workshop, citing concerns about water, electricity, noise, and zoning. Many called for a moratorium while the county develops a new ordinance to govern data centers. Commissioners acknowledged the need for an ordinance but were divided on imposing a moratorium.
Residents of Klickitat County, Washington, packed a recent workshop to press county commissioners on a growing number of proposed data centers, voicing widespread concerns about their impact on local communities. Key issues raised included the immense water and electricity consumption of these facilities, potential noise pollution, and the need for new infrastructure to support them. Many attendees, including longtime resident Pam from High Prairie, called for a moratorium on new data center development, arguing that the process is moving too quickly without adequate study.
Commissioners, including Ron Ihrig, agreed that a new county ordinance specifically governing data centers is necessary to address where they should be allowed. Ihrig stated, "Data centers don't belong in residential areas, period," and emphasized the need to move forward with zoning rules. However, commissioners were divided on whether to impose a moratorium while these regulations are developed, with Ihrig explicitly not supporting one. County staff outlined a potential timeline for drafting a new ordinance and detailed how a moratorium could be implemented.
Water emerged as a primary concern, with residents like fish biologist Elaine Harvey highlighting drying wells and the long-term availability of water for homes, agriculture, and wildlife. Noise, fire risks from transmission lines, and the effects of lithium-ion batteries in case of a fire were also discussed. Participants referenced The Dalles and Quincy as examples of communities impacted by data center development, with Rory, a former resident of The Dalles, questioning the long-term economic benefits versus environmental costs, particularly regarding water usage.
Klickitat Public Utility District Commissioner Dan Gunkel clarified that the PUD does not determine data center locations, which is a county zoning decision. Gunkel assured that developers would fund feasibility studies and power-system upgrades, not existing customers. He also noted that advanced cooling technologies could allow data centers to operate without water, a requirement that could be incorporated into a county ordinance. Despite these assurances, residents like Susan Wakeman and Madeline Grant reiterated the need for a moratorium to thoroughly address unanswered questions and expressed strong opposition to data centers in areas like Dallesport.