School testing, data center moratorium spark discussion at Assembly
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly adopted a legislative priority requesting a moratorium on commercial AI data center development in Alaska. This decision follows robust public testimony from residents concerned about data centers' impacts on electricity, water consumption, and the environment. While some federal and state officials advocate for data center growth in Alaska, other state officials voice concerns about the strain on utilities.
The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly has adopted a list of 2027 legislative priorities for state and federal lawmakers, including a contentious request for a moratorium on commercial artificial intelligence data center development in Alaska. This priority, which drew significant public testimony and discussion, seeks to halt permitting, leasing, and construction of data centers on state-owned and municipal lands until the state establishes standards for electricity, water consumption, and environmental impacts.
Residents, like Salcha's Sarah Hollister, expressed strong opposition, citing numerous accounts of devastating impacts from large-scale data centers and unprepared communities. Hollister emphasized the need for clear guidelines before "tech conglomerates come knocking," warning against corporations taking advantage of local resources. Former assembly member Barbara Haney suggested the borough also consider zoning adjustments, noting the current General Use-1 category allows flexible uses like data centers.
The push for a moratorium comes despite federal interest in promoting data centers in Alaska. The U.S. Air Force has issued requests for proposals to lease space for commercial data center development at Eielson Air Force Base, Clear Space Force Station, and Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson. On a statewide level, Governor Mike Dunleavy has advocated for Alaska as an ideal location for AI data centers, often linking this to the Alaska LNG project. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan supports bringing data centers to Air Force installations, citing potential privately funded infrastructure improvements. However, Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed reservations, telling Fairbanks reporters that Alaska's challenged Railbelt utilities and residents cannot currently handle the power or financial costs, though she didn't rule out future possibilities.