Washingtonians Show Growing Concern About AI Data Centers

As more cities and counties across Washington push the pause button on new data center development, a recent poll shows public opposition is growing nationwide.  According to Heatmap News, 75% of Americans are against having a data center built in their community. 

Don Marsh, chair for the Washington Clean Energy Coalition, is sympathetic.  He said he supports responsible AI use, but said there are a lot of external costs like carbon emissions and water use that are not being taken into consideration.

"And also, the AI companies are by and large not making money," said Marsh.  "So the question is, how does this all evolve to an economy that works for both people who need to use AI, but also for everybody else?"

Marsh added the state lacks clear policy on the centers, mirroring a national trend where restrictions arise mainly from local pushback.  He said Governor Bob Ferguson's working group, formed last year, leaned heavily toward industry, including Microsoft and Amazon.

“We wanted to see a real balance that took into account the impact on local communities, their energy prices, water availability, and the quality of their air and noise," Marsh said. 

So far, just under a dozen local jurisdictions have placed temporary bans on new data center construction, citing concerns about rising electricity costs and high water use in drought-sticken areas.

Proponents of the facilities, including local electrician unions, praise the high-paying jobs data center construction can create.

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