Seattle Council Proposes Data Center Moratorium
Seattle Council Proposes Data Center Moratorium
https://seattlemedium.com/seattle-data-center-moratorium/
Publish Date: 2026-05-01 08:40:00
Source Domain: seattlemedium.com
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Seattle City Council members plan to introduce an emergency moratorium on new data centers, citing concerns about rising utility costs, environmental impacts and strain on city infrastructure.
The proposed legislation, announced Thursday by Councilmembers Debora Juarez and Eddie Lin and Council President Joy Hollingsworth, would impose a 365-day ban on the siting of new data centers while the city conducts a series of impact studies.
The moratorium would take effect immediately if approved by the City Council and could be extended for an additional six months.
City leaders say the pause is necessary as demand for large-scale data centers grows, driven in part by the expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing industries. Officials are seeking more information on how such facilities could affect Seattle’s electrical grid, water usage, utility rates, land use, public health and local economy.
“Mega data centers are popping up across the country, driving up utility costs for residents and small businesses and increasing air, water and noise pollution when not properly regulated,” said Councilmember Eddie Lin, the prime sponsor of the moratorium legislation.
Lin said thousands of Seattle residents have already voiced concerns following reports that several companies are exploring plans to build large-scale data centers in the region.
“We should not be subsidizing the massive and record profits of tech corporations pursuing large AI data centers in our city,” Lin said. “South Seattle already suffers disproportionately from higher levels of pollution as well as heat islands.”
The proposal comes after four companies reportedly approached Seattle City Light about developing five large data centers in the area. Those projects could require up to 369 megawatts of electricity — enough to power approximately 300,000 homes — raising concerns about energy demand and long-term infrastructure…
