Mayor Launches Data Center Work Group Following Adoption of Moratorium

Mayor Brown Launches Data Center Work Group Following Adoption of One-Year Moratorium

Erin Hut, Communications Director, [email protected]

Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 2:02 p.m.

Following the passage of a one-year moratorium on the acceptance, processing, review and approval of building permit applications for new data centers, Mayor Lisa Brown is convening an internal work group to assist the City's Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and Plan Commission in evaluating the impacts of these facilities, with a particular focus on water use, wastewater, and noise pollution.

The one-year pause provides an opportunity to examine how, if at all, data centers should be sited in Spokane.

"We have a responsibility to thoughtfully evaluate how data centers impact our community. The purpose of this work group is to ensure we have the information and community input necessary to make the decisions that are best for Spokane," Mayor Brown said. "While data centers can play an important role in our economy, we have a responsibility to understand their impacts on our environment and nearby neighborhoods. This process will help us determine the framework and standards that will best serve our city."

The work group will be led by City Administrator Alexander Scott and comprised of city employees from multiple divisions, including Environmental Programs, Planning, Transportation and Sustainability, Water, the Mayor's Office, and City Council. They will assist the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and Plan Commission in reviewing research, examining policies adopted by other municipalities, meeting with subject-matter experts, and gathering public feedback while the moratorium is in place.

The meetings of the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and the Plan Commission are open to the public. The public can engage with the work of the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board and Plan Commission by signing up for email updates.

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