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Seattle Enacts One-Year Ban on Data Centers
The pause follows proposals for five large-scale facilities that would use 369 megawatts, about one-third of Seattle’s average daily electricity use, officials said.
- On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved Amended Council Bill 121214, sponsored by Councilmember Eddie Lin of District 2 and Council President Joy Hollingsworth of District 3, imposing a one-year freeze on data centers using more than 20 megavolt-amperes.
- Four unnamed companies approached Seattle City Light in April proposing five large data centers with combined demand of 369 megawatts—about one-third of the city's average daily electricity use and 10 times more power than Seattle's existing 30 facilities.
- Fifty-Two speakers testified Tuesday in favor of the moratorium, with zero opposing, while Amazon senior software engineer Liesl Wigand testified last Wednesday about seeing "consequences of the all-costs-justified AI buildout" and the belief that AI should solve everything while ignoring resource costs.
- Mayor Wilson expressed support for signing the ordinance as the city prepares comprehensive studies, with a required public hearing within 60 days and 365 days of meetings with communities, utilities and companies to form permanent regulations.
- Ben Jones of 350 Seattle called the city the largest in the nation to pass a data center moratorium, as more than 70 cities and counties nationwide have enacted similar bans and New York's legislature voted for a one-year ban awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature.
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Why Did Seattle Approve A One-Year Data Center Ban?
Seattle has approved a one-year moratorium on the development of large data centers, becoming one of the largest U.S. cities to temporarily halt new projects while officials assess their impact on energy infrastructure, communities, and the environment. The Seattle City Council unanimously passed the measure on Tuesday, targeting data centers that require more than 20 megavolt-amperes of electricity. 💡City leaders said the pause will provide ti…
The Columbian+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Seattle passes moratorium on new data centers amid national backlash
SEATTLE — Amid a growing backlash to artificial intelligence, Seattle City Council voted 9-0 on Tuesday to enact a one-year moratorium on new large data centers and study their impact. Read more...
·Vancouver, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources58
Leaning Left9Leaning Right11Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center
L 25%
C 44%
R 31%
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