Skagit Co. bans data centers
Skagit County commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on new data center construction in unincorporated areas. The decision was driven by environmental concerns, including flood susceptibility and limited water resources. The Seattle City Council is also considering a similar temporary ban.
Skagit County recently enacted a six-month moratorium on the construction of new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in its unincorporated areas. This decision, approved by the Skagit County Commissioners, marks a growing trend of local governments pushing back against data center development.
The primary reasons cited for the moratorium are environmental concerns. Commissioners highlighted the valley's susceptibility to flooding and the existing scarcity of water resources, which are crucial for the region's agricultural and fisheries industries.
Furthermore, the Seattle City Council is reportedly considering a similar temporary ban on data center construction, indicating a broader regional discussion on the impacts of these facilities.