Spokane County holds public comment on data center moratorium and zoning
Spokane County commissioners heard public comments regarding the county's moratorium on new large data centers, which is set to end in December. Residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, including water usage and noise pollution. The county is working to devise a plan for future data center regulations.
Spokane County commissioners held a public meeting to gather input on the future of data center development, following months of debate. The discussion centered on the county's existing moratorium on new large data centers, which is scheduled to expire on December 15.
Reporter Sunny Day reported from the meeting, where a passionate crowd voiced numerous concerns. Many attendees highlighted the environmental impacts of data centers, specifically citing water loss in the county and pointing out local river sections that dried up over the summer. Concerns about noise pollution were also prominent, with residents describing the sound from nearby data centers as "sound torture.
Attendees also urged commissioners to research the topic of artificial intelligence and criticized Commissioner Al French for his absence from the room, noting he attended via Zoom with his camera off. The board took no immediate action at the meeting, as they continue to devise a plan for potential future regulations regarding large data centers. The county's planning commission is set to hold another meeting on Thursday morning to discuss a data center zoning text amendment.