Seattle Imposes One-Year Data Center Moratorium as Five Proposed Facilities Would Consume One-Third of City's Daily Power

Seattle City Council has introduced emergency legislation banning new large-load data centers (10MW+) for 365 days, triggered by four companies proposing five facilities requiring 369 megawatts—roughly one-third of the city's average daily electricity consumption. Mayor Wilson supports the measure. Simultaneously, Seattle City Light is drafting policy requiring such centers to secure power outside the municipal grid, protecting residential ratepayers from subsidizing corporate infrastructure costs.