Seattle Halts Large Data Center Construction for One Year, Citing Grid Strain

Seattle City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers exceeding 10 megawatts, extendable to 18 months. The freeze targets hyperscale AI facilities amid surging demand straining regional power capacity. Mayor Wilson's office supports the measure. A mandatory 60-day public hearing and impact studies on grid, economic, and public health effects follow. The move formalizes what has been an informal regulatory slowdown in many jurisdictions navigating AI infrastructure buildout.