Data center activity in Washington
Washington's environment is defined by at least 86 enacted moratoriums against only four rejected, with few reported zoning decisions to offset them. Opposition has been modestly effective, blocking at least four projects while two moved forward despite objections. At least five lawsuits and one regulatory restriction have been reported. With at least 67 companies active, interest remains solid, and Washington sits at a similar level to its neighbor Oregon while well ahead of Idaho.
Washington's environment is defined by at least 86 enacted moratoriums against only four rejected, with few reported zoning decisions to offset them. Opposition has been modestly effective, blocking at least four projects while two moved forward despite objections. At least five lawsuits and one regulatory restriction have been reported. With at least 67 companies active, interest remains solid, and Washington sits at a similar level to its neighbor Oregon while well ahead of Idaho.
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The Blaine City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed temporary zoning moratorium covering data centers and battery energy storage systems. The proposal follows six-month data center application holds approved by Skagit County and Mount Vernon.
Spokane County is developing zoning rules for large data centers and is considering extending a temporary pause on accepting new applications until June 2027. Residents will discuss the proposed ordinance at a public meeting, with concerns including water availability, groundwater contamination, electricity demand, noise and environmental impacts.
The Spokane County Commission unanimously extended its pause on accepting and processing data center permits until June 1, 2027, or until county rules are established. The extension followed months of public opposition and gives state lawmakers time to potentially enact legislation that could supersede county regulations.
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously extended the county’s moratorium on accepting data center permit applications through June 1, 2027. Commissioners said the extension will allow time for the Washington Legislature to consider data center issues while the county develops zoning regulations to mitigate potential impacts.
Spokane County commissioners unanimously approved a pause on accepting land-use and permit applications for data centers. The pause took effect immediately and will remain in place through June 1, 2027, following hours of public comments expressing concerns about health effects and natural-resource use.
The Spokane Board of County Commissioners unanimously extended the pause on construction of new data centers until June 1, 2027. Residents and students rallied against data centers, arguing the county needs stricter regulations and a formal moratorium because of potential health, environmental and resource impacts.
Klickitat County commissioners are still considering a temporary moratorium and new zoning rules for data centers after residents submitted a petition with more than 1,000 signatures. No moratorium, ordinance or interim zoning rule was approved, while a proposed 300-megawatt Clenera Tech Center Holdings project added to concerns about power, water and community impacts.
Spokane County Commissioners unanimously extended the pause on accepting data center land-use and permit applications until June 1, 2027, or until the county completes its zoning text amendment process. The extension followed residents’ calls for a longer pause and greater transparency and will cover the 2027 state legislative session.
Spokane County commissioners unanimously voted to extend the pause on data center construction. The pause, previously set to expire on December 15, 2026, will now remain in effect until June 1, 2027.
Spokane County commissioners are expected to discuss a pause on data center development. The report does not identify a specific data center company or project involved.
NonStop Local KHQ identifies a public meeting concerning Spokane County’s data center legislation. The available information does not specify the legislation’s provisions, affected projects, or any decision taken.
Data center concerns have become a central issue in the race for Spokane County’s 4th District commissioner seat. Write-in candidate Rachelle Miller advanced to the general election on an anti-data center platform after the county commission enacted a four-month moratorium on permit approvals for such projects.
Data center construction is expanding the tax base in the East Wenatchee and Wenatchee areas, lowering projected property tax rates for proposed school bonds. Microsoft’s planned facilities in Malaga and other regional data centers are expected to contribute substantially to school construction funding, spreading costs across more commercial properties.
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners is expected to consider extending its pause on data center building permit approvals through June 1, 2027. The pause would give the county time to develop zoning restrictions after years of discussions involving developer Apricus Energy Partners.
Fourth Congressional District candidates Amanda McKinney and John Duresky said data centers can bring jobs and investment but should be subject to local input and safeguards. The Yakima County Commission, including McKinney, approved a six-month moratorium to study the facilities’ potential impacts and consider new regulations.
Pacific Mobile Structures announced modular building solutions designed to help AI and data center projects deploy infrastructure more quickly. The Chehalis-based company provides permanent and temporary facilities, including operations centers, offices, security buildings and maintenance spaces, through a nationwide turnkey delivery model.
A Washington policy discussion examines whether the state should extend clean-energy deadlines and give utilities more flexibility to use natural gas amid rising electricity costs. Participants also discuss nuclear power, grid modernization and the possibility of data center developers financing new power generation.
Walla Walla County published more than 700 public comments on Amazon’s proposed data center campus at Wallula Gap Business Park. The project remains under environmental review, while residents and the Walla Walla Anti-Data Center League are calling for a one-year moratorium that county commissioners oppose.
A scheduled Spokane County Planning Commission hearing concerning data centers was canceled. No further details about the hearing, specific projects, or the reason for the cancellation were provided.
Spokane County canceled a scheduled Planning Commission hearing on data centers. County officials said they will wait until at least next year to revisit data center zoning, pending possible action by the Washington State Legislature.