Seattle has approved a one-year moratorium on the development of large data centers, becoming one of the largest U.S. cities to temporarily halt new projects while officials assess their impact on energy infrastructure, communities, and the environment.
The Seattle City Council unanimously passed the measure on Tuesday, targeting data centers that require more than 20 megavolt-amperes of electricity.
The move follows proposals from four companies seeking to build five major data centers with a combined electricity demand of 369 megawatts.
According to city officials, that level of consumption would represent roughly one-third of Seattle’s average daily electricity use and far exceed the requirements of existing facilities operating within the city.
Several speakers argued that cities should better understand the long-term costs of large-scale data center expansion before approving additional projects.
The ordinance now heads to Mayor Wilson, who has indicated support for signing it into law.
During the one-year pause, Seattle will conduct studies, hold public hearings, and engage with residents, utilities, technology companies, and community groups to determine whether permanent regulations should be adopted.
The decision reflects a growing national debate over balancing economic development and AI growth with energy reliability and sustainability goals.
Related Tweet:
BREAKING: Seattle just passed a 1-year moratorium on data center construction. It's now the largest U.S. city to enact a pause or ban.
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) June 10, 2026
Also Read:
TIPP Staff
