Seattle’s city council passes a one-year moratorium on new data center construction in and around the city, aimed at slowing expansion of large facilities tied to the AI industry. Multiple outlets report the measure is approved unanimously and makes Seattle the largest U.S. city to adopt such a pause. City officials describe the moratorium as a chance to strengthen and tailor regulations for data centers, including addressing concerns about energy use, electricity demand, and potential environmental impacts on nearby communities.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson says the temporary ban gives the city time to assess whether data centers are an appropriate use of urban land and whether new conditions should be attached to any future approvals, including possible requirements for developers to support local transit and housing initiatives.
Sources also note that the moratorium includes an amendment that allows existing data centers to seek expansions during the one-year period, potentially adding up to 20 megawatts of additional power. Activists raise concerns that this carve-out could increase power demand during the pause and weaken the intent of the moratorium. Lawmakers argue the amendment distinguishes between facilities with broader civic roles, such as those supporting health and emergency services, and larger AI-focused centers.
