Seattle Freezes Large Data Center Projects Over Power Grid Concerns

Seattle's City Council unanimously approved a one-year halt on data centers using more than 10 megawatts of power—the facilities that run AI systems. The freeze can extend to 18 months. The city will study impacts on the power grid, economy, and public health before allowing new construction. This formalizes what many cities have quietly done: slow-walk approvals for AI infrastructure as demand strains regional electricity capacity.