Yakima County Commissioners Vote to Draft Data Center Moratorium

Yakima County commissioners are considering a moratorium on new data centers, with an editorial advocating for immediate action due to concerns about their environmental and resource impact. The push comes as other communities, including the Cle Elum City Council, have already enacted emergency moratoriums following developer announcements.

During a study session, Yakima County Planning Manager Tommy Carroll stated no specific data center plans were on the horizon, but more than three dozen community members, including students, parents, and farmers, voiced strong opposition during public comment. Their concerns centered on water use, noise pollution, and overall regional health and environmental effects.

Following a motion by Commissioner Kyle Curtis, the three-member board unanimously voted to direct staff to draft a resolution for a six-month data center pause by August 11. Curtis also suggested the Yakima County Development Association collaborate with local health and agricultural stakeholders to study potential impacts. The county acknowledges that data centers typically gravitate towards areas with abundant water and cheap power, neither of which Yakima County possesses, especially with ongoing drought and high electricity costs.

This local development occurs amidst a national trend, with New York recently enacting a temporary restriction on large-scale data centers and at least 15 other states, including Oregon, considering similar measures. Numerous counties and cities across the U.S. have also passed moratoriums or outright bans.