Seattle advances AI data center moratorium bill
Seattle's Land Use and Sustainability Committee unanimously approved a proposed one-year moratorium on new data centers, driven by the AI boom and developer proposals within city limits. The ban aims to provide the city time to study the environmental and economic impacts of these facilities. It now advances to the full City Council for a final vote.
Seattle is moving closer to implementing a one-year moratorium on new data center construction within city limits. The proposed ban, spurred by the surge in artificial intelligence demand and recent proposals for large data center developments, was unanimously approved by the Land Use and Sustainability Committee.
During public testimony, residents expressed widespread support for the moratorium, citing concerns about environmental and economic impacts. Patrick Schlesser from Amazon Employees for Climate Justice emphasized the city's leverage to demand public benefits from data center companies, such as commitments to 100% renewable energy, local jobs, and a new tax to fund city services during layoffs. The moratorium would allow existing data centers to expand but halt new projects, giving the city time to study the sector's broader implications.
A developer is reportedly planning a nine-story, windowless data center with its own electrical substation in the SODO neighborhood. While a spokesperson for an unnamed data center could not be reached for comment, a trade organization representative previously highlighted potential tax benefits and job creation at an earlier public meeting.
The bill now awaits a vote by the full City Council for final approval.