Seattle Mayor Kathy Wilson said she is considering a moratorium on building new data centers in the city. The decision follows a large online protest campaign that generated more than 54,000 emails to city officials from residents. Wilson emphasized that the city has not yet issued permits for new facilities, but acknowledged serious public concern.
The concern was prompted by plans from four companies to build five large data centers in Seattle. Although the city already hosts about 30 such facilities, the new projects would be the first on this scale. At peak times they are estimated to consume nearly ten times more electricity than all existing centers combined, equal to roughly one-third of Seattle’s average daily consumption.
Critics point to significant environmental harm from the high energy use and potential rate increases for ordinary residents. The municipal utility, Seattle City Light, owned by the city and supplying power to residents and businesses, has faced financial difficulties in recent years. As a public utility accountable to the city council and the mayor, it allows the city to directly influence rates and environmental policy. In low-snow periods, when hydroelectric generation—the primary source supplying about 90% of the city’s needs—declines, the utility has had to purchase power on the wholesale market, depleting reserves and raising costs for consumers. The city is balancing environmental goals with growing demand by investing in grid modernization, energy-efficiency programs, and gradually adding wind, solar and other renewable capacity, aiming for carbon neutrality.
The protest campaign was organized by local environmental group 350 Seattle, part of the international 350.org movement. The group actively shapes the environmental agenda through protests, lobbying for “green” legislation and mobilizing public opinion to push for more ambitious climate goals. The organization’s name refers to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (350 parts per million), which scientists consider a safe limit. Activists say the city’s resources are already limited and should not be used to support the growth of the world’s largest corporations.
At the same time, construction unions have taken a more cautious stance. Monty Anderson, representing about 20,000 workers, said his organization always supports Seattle’s growth and competitiveness. He stressed that any mayoral decisions on the issue should be made after consultations with labor groups.
Thus, Mayor Wilson is considering a temporary halt on issuing permits as a tool to give the city time to develop balanced regulations. This would allow for consideration of environmental and economic risks as well as the city’s development interests and those of its residents. No final decision has been made yet.
Based on: Wilson says no new Seattle data centers greenlit, considers moratorium