Commissioner Al French on data centers: ‘Spokane County is not closed for business’
Spokane County is grappling with proposals for a data center moratorium versus fast-tracked zoning regulations. Commissioners are divided, with Al French opposing a moratorium and advocating for rapid development of a zoning framework to accommodate data centers, while others seek a pause for public input. A massive 1,000-megawatt data center project by Apricus Energy Partners is under consideration, facing concerns about electricity capacity and environmental impact.
Spokane County is currently facing a contentious debate regarding the development of large-scale data centers. Commissioners Amber Waldref and Chris Jordan have proposed a nine-month moratorium on new data center permit applications to allow officials time to develop appropriate regulations and gather community input.
Conversely, Commissioner Al French, a strong proponent of data center development, is actively working to prevent a moratorium. French has been meeting with local data center developers, the Kalispel Tribe, and power utility Avista Corp. since early 2026 to facilitate a massive 1,000-megawatt data center project in the West Plains by Apricus Energy Partners. He and Commissioner Josh Kerns have also drafted an interim ordinance to regulate data centers, aiming to fast-track its approval to avoid a moratorium.
The proposed Apricus Energy Partners data center would consume an estimated 1,000 megawatts of electricity, nearly two-thirds of Avista's entire generating capacity, raising concerns about power infrastructure and potential rate hikes. Public opposition is significant, with residents protesting Avista's negotiations and testifying against rapid data center development without more information and robust regulation. Commissioner Mary Brooks, part of the conservative bloc, opposes the moratorium, fearing it sends a negative message to businesses.