Avista puts data center negotiations on pause
Avista has paused negotiations with a potential 500 MW data center customer, citing the need for broader policy and community alignment. This decision follows community concerns and a proposed one-year moratorium on data center construction by the Spokane City Council. Avista will collaborate with local leaders and community members to develop better frameworks for handling large data center requests.
Avista, a regional energy provider, announced it has paused negotiations with an unnamed potential 500-megawatt data center customer in its Washington service territory. This decision by Avista President and CEO Heather Rosentrater comes in response to significant community concern and a proposed ordinance by the Spokane City Council. The ordinance calls for a one-year moratorium on data center construction to establish stronger regulatory frameworks.
The potential data center project, which became public through a federal Securities and Exchange Commission filing on May 29, would require electricity equivalent to over half the combined power used by all residential and business customers in Spokane County. Avista acknowledged the feedback from customers, community members, and local leaders, stating a need for a broader coordinated planning effort. The company committed to collaborating with local leaders, regulators, and the community to transparently and thoughtfully handle future large data center requests in the region's best long-term interest.