The Seattle City Council unanimously approved two measures aimed at restricting the development of large data centers in the city, responding to concerns from residents about potential impacts on infrastructure, utility costs, and the environment. One measure, Amended Council Bill 121214, imposes a temporary moratorium on new large data center projects while the city conducts studies on their potential effects.
According to a City Council blog, under the bill, data centers are defined as facilities primarily used for storing and processing digital data, with power capacity exceeding 20 megavolt-amperes and requiring uninterrupted power supplies. The moratorium can be extended for up to six additional months if city officials determine more time is needed for review.
Eddie Lin, Councilmember, Land Use Committee and sponsored the legislation, said, “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, Seattleites should not be subsidizing record profits of large corporations from the AI boom. We can support these essential services while also developing appropriate safeguards around mega AI data centers locally and regionally.”
Debora Juarez, Councilmember, Parks and City Light Committee, “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.”
Joy Hollingsworth, Council President, said, “Today’s passage of the data center moratorium is about making long-term decisions that could impact Seattle’s infrastructure, utility rates, water usage, and sustainability goals. This pause gives us the opportunity to understand the impacts before we make permanent decisions.”
Katie B. Wilson, Seattle Mayor, said, “This data center moratorium, and I look forward to signing it into law, concerns about the potential impacts of large-load data centers on utility rates and the environment, and approach to these issues.”
The council also adopted amended resolution 32204, sponsored by Councilmember Debora Juarez, which establishes a framework for evaluating future data center proposals. The resolution directs city departments and the Mayor’s Office to assess the effects of data centers on electrical grid capacity, water consumption, utility rates, land use, employment, and public health.
The council’s action follows reports published in April that four companies had approached Seattle City Light about building five large-scale data centers in the city. These proposed facilities would have a combined maximum electricity demand of 369 MW, roughly equivalent to the power consumption of 300,000 homes.
The studies ordered under the legislation are expected to inform future city policies governing large-scale data center development in Seattle.