Seattle, WA
Seattle leaders’ proposed one-year ban on data centers met with strong support
SEATTLE — City leaders are considering a one-year ban on new data centers in Seattle, and many residents are overwhelmingly on board.
Councilmembers Debora Juarez, Eddie Lin, and Council President Joy Hollingsworth introduced the year-long moratorium after reports that four companies have gone to Seattle City Light with proposals to build five large-scale data centers in the Seattle area.
Along with the legislation, councilmembers are also weighing a resolution that would require the city to study how these data centers impact city infrastructure, water usage, utility rates, public health, and more.
The drafted resolution defines data centers as “facilities consisting of housing and infrastructure (heating, cooling, lighting, offices) to support servers (computers), data storage systems, networking equipment, uninterruptible power supply batteries, or backup power generators.” Demand for the centers is growing as the AI industry expands, sponsors said.
On Wednesday, the city’s Land Use and Sustainability Committee was briefed on the proposed ban, and the Parks and City Light Committee discussed the resolution. Neither committee took a vote. However, dozens of people voiced support for the moratorium during public comment periods.
“Public utilities should prioritize public needs, including climate, over the profit interests of big tech,” Rebecca Wood said.
Residents’ concerns about data centers ranged from rising utility rates to increased pressure on the city’s power grid and environmental harms across the Seattle region.
“We are in a climate crisis. We know this, and it is time for us to act urgently. Building data centers is the exact opposite of what we need to be doing,” Alecia Gaussoin said.
Seattle already has roughly 30 small data centers. The large-scale centers in question would be the first of their size in the region, and they would have a combined maximum demand of 369 megawatts — enough to power about 300,000 homes — according to city officials.
“Comparing the 30 that we have in Seattle to the ones they are trying to build here is like saying my bearded dragon is the same as Godzilla,” Evan Sutton said during public comment.
The resolution also calls for cooperation from the mayor’s office in creating policies to guide future legislation and budget appropriations.
Both city committees are expected to vote on the proposed one-year ban and resolution June 3. If passed, the moratorium would take effect immediately.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
After years of planning and anticipation, tomorrow’s the big day – Seattle’s first FIFA World Cup match, Belgium vs. Egypt at noon, with five more matches to follow here over the next three weeks. Whether you’re going to the game or just going to, or near, SODO and/or downtown, the map above shows some key things you need to know – particularly the area that’ll be closed off to motor-vehicle traffic. Some buses will be rerouted as a result – including West Seattle’s Route 21; go here to get reroute details. You can also read more about the pedestrian zone on this SDOT page, which says the street closures should start about four hours before the matches and end
The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s schedule will be affected too – a round trip will be added on World Cup match days during what otherwise is a two-hour gap in the WSWT schedule – a 10 am departure from downtown’s Pier 50 to Seacrest, and a 10:15 am departure from West Seattle.
We’ll be watching traffic/transportation closely through the day, with updates as (if) events warrant! If you see something your neighbors should know about, on the roads/path/water (or at the stadium!), we’re at 206-293-6302, text or voice, any time.
(Saturday scene at Alki – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
After a couple days of advance notice, the Heat Advisory alert from the National Weather Service is about to take effect, starting at 11 this morning. The NWS isn’t expecting record temperatures, but hot enough:
Hot conditions with high temperatures up to 85 to 90 degrees and low temperatures down to 60 to 65 degrees expected. This will pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness.
This is just expected today and tomorrow, with the advisory currently set to expire at 5 am Tuesday (June 16).
COOLING CENTER AT THE Y: If it does heat up past 90, the YMCA (WSB sponsor) announced today that it’s offering cooling-center options:
During this heat wave, if temperatures exceed 90 degrees, YMCA of Greater Seattle branches will be open during their regular operating hours for all members of the community to enjoy as Cooling Centers — safe, welcoming spaces where everyone is invited (no membership needed).
Y members continue to have full access to all amenities throughout the day, including pools, workout equipment, and other services — even during Cooling Center hours.
The YMCA has long served as a trusted community hub, and during times of extreme weather, we are committed to being a resource for everyone — not just our members.
The Y’s hours in the West Seattle Triangle (3622 SW Snoqualmie) and Fauntleroy (9140 California SW) can be found here.
Seattle, WA
WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Soundgarden co-founder Kim Thayil’s book-signing session at Easy Street Records
(Photos by Jason Grotelueschen for WSB)
Big line outside Easy Street Records tonight in The Junction – not for a show, but for an author … who happens to be a Grammy-winning, Hall of Fame-inducted rock musician. Soundgarden‘s founding guitarist Kim Thayil came to Easy Street to sign his just-released memoir “A Screaming Life.” Of course a photo op with Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan was in order:
And then Thayil got to meet the book-buying fans:
As we mentioned in a preview, “A Screaming Life” has a West Seattle writer as co-author, Adem Tepedelen:
Easy Street has several special events most weeks – you can browse what’s coming up here.
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