Skagit County passes data center moratorium

Skagit County's board of commissioners voted to enact a six-month data center moratorium on Monday.

Officials cited data centers' consumption of electricity, water and land, concerns that have been growing across the country as artificial intelligence fuels a growing need for computing capacity. More than 7 in 10 people nationwide oppose construction of data centers near them, according to a Gallup survey released in May. Seattle is also considering a ban after developers proposed five large-scale facilities in the city.

"That is not something we can afford to have happening here, especially with the issues that farmers are facing with getting enough water," said Skagit County Commissioner Joe Burns. "I see no reason in us leaving the door open without us taking plenty of time to make sure that we get good solid regulations in place."

The ordinance bars permits for data centers larger than 2,000 square feet or requiring more than 2 megawatts of electricity. Officials said their action was not in response to any proposed projects, but rather a preemptive measure giving them time to develop appropriate regulations. Commissioners said they may consider extending the moratorium after six months if they needed more time to write those rules.

"The underlying point is to protect our natural resources, lands, and natural environment for their own sake and for the human community," said the county's senior deputy for natural resources, Will Honea, who presented the moratorium to commissioners.

Honea said he had heard interest from data center developers in the region's cheap, plentiful land and low electricity rates from the region's hydropower.

Local farm groups lauded the decision.

"Skagit is the last functioning agricultural economy here in the Puget Sound, and we want to protect that, and we want to protect and steward resources, especially water," said Mikala Staples Hughes, board president of Western Washington Agricultural Association.

Seattle is also considering a moratorium on data centers that is scheduled to be considered by the Land Use and Sustainability committee on Wednesday.

Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified Will Honea with a title he formerly held with Skagit County.

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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:43 PM.