Today the City Council unanimously adopted two key pieces of legislation that will help prevent the siting of large data centers in Seattle. The City Council’s swift actions come in response to immense public outcry over the potential environmental, infrastructure, and economic impacts of large-scale data centers in the region.
Amended Council Bill 121214, sponsored by Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2) and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), places a temporary freeze on new data center siting while the city conducts comprehensive impact studies. Data centers are defined as facilities used primarily for storing and processing digital data, having power capacity over 20 Megavolt-Amperes, and requiring uninterruptible power. The moratorium could be extended for an additional six months, if necessary.
“Large AI data centers are popping up across the country, driving up utility costs for residents and small businesses while creating air, water, and noise pollution,” said prime sponsor Councilmember Lin, who serves as the Land Use Committee Chair. “We’ve heard from tens of thousands of residents – Seattleites should not be subsidizing record profits of large corporations from the AI boom. At the same time, the city hosts smaller co-location facilities that provide data processing for 911 call centers, municipal activities, hospitals, universities, and cancer research. We can support these essential services while also developing appropriate safeguards around mega AI data centers locally and regionally.”
The accompanying amended Resolution 32204 on data centers, sponsored by Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), who chairs the Parks and City Light committee, establishes a strict policy framework based on Seattle values for handling data center proposals. It directs departments and the Mayor’s Office to analyze how these high-density computing facilities impact Seattle’s electrical grid capacity, water usage, utility rates, land use, local jobs, and public health.
“The passing of today’s moratorium does not stop AI or data centers. It does, however, pause to hold those accountable in the development of data centers, while understanding the long-lasting impact on people and land,” said Councilmember Juarez. “Today’s decision impacts future generations and we have a responsibility to protect our most vital resources. We look forward to working with the Mayor’s Office, stakeholders, and community members in the future of data centers that will keep the best interest of all people, land, and water at the forefront of our decision-making.”
“Today’s passage of the data center moratorium is about doing our homework before making long-term decisions that could impact Seattle’s infrastructure, utility rates, water usage, and sustainability goals,” said Council President Hollingsworth. “Technology is moving fast, but our responsibility is to ensure growth doesn’t come at the expense of residents and ratepayers. This pause gives us the opportunity to understand the impacts before we make permanent decisions.”
The City Council’s actions and the mayor’s response follow reports in April that four companies had approached Seattle City Light to build five large-scale data centers. These proposed facilities would have a combined maximum demand of 369 megawatts – enough electricity to power approximately 300,000 homes.
“I’m grateful to the City Council for their work on this data center moratorium, and I look forward to signing it into law,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “I’m glad we were able to promptly respond to community concerns about the potential impacts of large-load data centers on utility rates and the environment, and I look forward to working together with Council and community members on a long-term approach to these issues.”
What’s next
The ordinance will take effect immediately due to its emergency designation. A public hearing is required within 60 days.
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