Lyle weighs proposed Dallesport data center
Residents in Lyle, Washington, and the Lyle Community Council are expressing concerns over a proposed data center in Dallesport, which would require a substation in Lyle. The community is worried about potential impacts on electricity rates, environmental resources, and safety. Klickitat Public Utility District and Klickitat County Commissioners are involved in discussions as the project explores development options and power interconnection.
The Klickitat Public Utility District (PUD) is evaluating a proposal for a large, nearly 300-acre data center in Dallesport, Washington, which would necessitate the construction of a 230-kilovolt substation in the nearby town of Lyle. The project is "far from a done deal" and has sparked significant discussion and concern within the Lyle community and among local officials.
Residents attending a Lyle Community Council meeting on June 17 expressed surprise and apprehension regarding the substation's safety, potential environmental impacts on the Columbia River Gorge, and the project's uncertain effects on future PUD power rates. Lori Zoller, a Klickitat County Commissioner, acknowledged residents' unease but emphasized the county's responsibility to ensure adherence to laws and ordinances while also considering economic growth.
Concerns extend to the broader regional impact, with a recent Columbia Riverkeeper report linking data center development to increased demand for fossil fuel-derived electricity and projections from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council warning of potential blackouts in the Pacific Northwest by 2029. Past examples, such as Google's data centers in The Dalles, Oregon, are cited for their substantial water consumption.
The proposed data center site is currently an orchard owned by Scott Webster, CEO of The Fruit Company, who stated that "no final decisions have been made." Klickitat PUD has submitted a Line Load and Interconnection Request to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to determine power sourcing options. Mike DeMott, Klickitat PUD director of finance, indicated it is too early to establish construction or energization timelines.