Who pays for AI? Seattle weighs a data center freeze

Seattle leaders, including Mayor Katie Wilson and City Councilmember Eddie Lin, are weighing a potential 12-month moratorium on new large-scale data centers. This consideration stems from increasing concerns over how the artificial intelligence boom could significantly impact energy costs for residents, environmental resources, and the city's electric grid. Seattle City Light officials report that several companies have explored sites that could collectively demand hundreds of megawatts of power, although no formal service requests have been submitted. Councilmember Lin expressed support for a temporary moratorium to allow the city time to analyze the issue and implement appropriate regulations, ensuring residents do not subsidize the private profits of the growing AI industry. He emphasized that the focus is on a new generation of "mega data centers," not existing smaller facilities. Google's Liz Schwab, a data center development manager, countered that data centers are essential infrastructure that support economic growth and provide high-paying jobs. She also highlighted Google's voluntary commitments to addressing environmental impacts, such as aiming to replenish 120% of the freshwater consumed by 2030. However, Lin raised questions about accountability for voluntary commitments. The city aims to balance economic opportunity with public impact. If introduced, a moratorium would require public hearings and input before a final decision. The article also briefly mentions a smaller data center project being considered by the Department of Energy at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, indicating broader statewide interest in data center development.