Skagit County hits pause on building data centers to protect farmlands
Skagit County in Washington has approved a six-month moratorium on data center construction in its unincorporated areas. This measure aims to protect farmland and water resources while the county develops specific regulations for future data center developments. The temporary ban was enacted in response to local concerns about significant energy and water consumption, as well as the potential impact on agricultural land.
Skagit County, Washington, has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center construction in its unincorporated regions, a decision announced after a public hearing held by the Skagit County commissioners. The temporary ban, approved last month, seeks to safeguard valuable farmlands and critical water resources.
Commissioner Peter Browning indicated that the moratorium allows the county's planning department time to craft specific regulations and code language for data centers before it begins accepting permit applications. This proactive approach is in anticipation of potential interest from data center developers, driven by the increasing demand for artificial intelligence technology, despite the county not yet receiving any formal proposals. The moratorium applies to facilities exceeding 2,000 square feet with an electrical load of two megawatts or more.
Both residents and county leaders voiced concerns about data centers' significant energy and water consumption for cooling systems, and their potential encroachment on agricultural lands. Commissioner Joe Burns underscored the importance of environmental preservation, questioning the suitability of locating large electronics facilities in floodplains that could otherwise be used for food production. Resident Rebecca Peck also noted that developers target the area due to inexpensive land. Commissioners retain the option to extend the moratorium beyond its initial six-month period if deemed necessary.