Chewelah Hears Strong Support For Data Center Moratorium

Chewelah residents voiced strong support on Aug. 19 for the city’s six-month moratorium on data center development, urging officials to use the temporary pause to develop regulations addressing water use, electricity demand, noise, and other potential impacts. The Chewelah City Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 1027 during its Aug. 19 meeting, drawing a crowd large enough that some attendees stood in the hallway. Roughly 20 people had signed up to speak, while the council also received 11 written comments for the record.

The initial recommendation to create a moratorium came from City Administrator Tonya Wallace and has already been adopted by the council earlier this summer. City officials explained that the hearing was required as part of the process and was not a vote on whether to initially enact the moratorium. City staff described the moratorium as a temporary pause intended to give Chewelah time to review its development regulations, gather information, involve the public, and determine what protections should be incorporated into city code.

The six-month moratorium is scheduled to expire in December, although the city could extend it for another six months if more time is needed. Chewelah Mayor Lindsay Baxter said the city is trying to get ahead of the issue rather than respond after a proposal is already submitted. He said no developer has approached the city about constructing a data center and there is no imminent project under consideration. Baxter also said Chewelah’s small city limits and limited capacity make it unlikely that a large data center would be developed within the city itself.

If one were proposed in the area, he said, it would more likely be outside city boundaries, making coordination with Stevens County and neighboring communities important. The mayor said he had discussed Chewelah’s action with the mayors of Kettle Falls and Colville, but had not yet discussed the issue in detail with county officials. Public testimony focused on the effects of a data center on Chewelah residents and resources, regardless if it is outside of city limits, with water as one of the most common concerns. Several speakers pointed to drought conditions, declining wells in parts of northeast Washington, and the importance of groundwater to agriculture.

One speaker told council members that ranchers near Hunters have been hauling water and urged the city to protect the groundwater system extending beyond Chewelah’s boundaries. Others questioned whether the potential economic benefits of a data center would outweigh increased demand for water, electricity, and infrastructure. Speakers also raised concerns about housing, air quality, backup generators, property values, and the number of permanent jobs that would remain after construction.

Resident Earl Johnson told the council his family moved to the area in part because of its peace and quiet. He previously lived near a refrigeration warehouse and said he did not want to again live with the constant disruption of industrial equipment. “When I got out here, I found peace and quiet,” Johnson said. “And I don’t want that humming noise in my ear again.” Paula Keller, who identified herself as a city resident, thanked the council for imposing the moratorium and encouraged officials to study experiences in other communities before drafting permanent regulations. “Please, don’t let them build anything that you wouldn’t want next door to your house,” Keller said. While most speakers were strongly opposed to data center development, one local business and property owner told the council he was not fundamentally against the facilities and believed they could provide tax and revenue benefits. He said the moratorium provides an opportunity to separate legitimate concerns from rumors and develop rules before a company submits an application. Among his suggestions were studying alternatives to conventional water-intensive cooling systems, examining the possible use of wastewater, coordinating development rules with Stevens County, considering separate utility rate classifications for large electricity users, and establishing strict noise standards. He also suggested requiring a conditional-use permit so neighboring property owners could review and comment on proposals. Other residents urged the city to consider emergency-response requirements, lighting and dark-sky protections, and the potential cost of new electrical or water infrastructure. One speaker also noted that Chewelah lacks the electrical infrastructure needed for a major data center, saying any substantial expansion of the grid would likely take years. He encouraged residents and city officials to remain engaged, particularly with Stevens County, because a development outside Chewelah could fall beyond the city’s zoning authority. Following the testimony, a council member said the comments showed broad agreement among those attending the hearing. “I didn’t really hear anybody saying, ‘Let’s bring it on,’” Councilmember Blake Weirs said, while encouraging residents to take the same concerns to county officials. The city now plans to collect data and develop potential regulations addressing the environmental, energy, and social impacts of data center development. Officials said additional opportunities for public involvement will be part of that process before the moratorium expires.