LINCOLN COUNTY, Wash. — Lincoln county commissioners heard from a packed room at the courthouse Monday about the six-month moratorium on data centers that has already been passed, which will pause any permit applications for data centers.
“It’s the small folk who are going to be caught in the middle of all this and they won’t be able to do anything about it,” said Alan Rimkeit.
Most of the speakers at the meeting were concerned about how much water a data center could use.
“The water concerns and the usage is one thing, but what happens to the water once it is used?” Randy Kueter asked.
“Water is scarce in most of Lincoln County. Many wells, including the two that serve Davenport, have had dropping levels,” Paula Husky said.
Some worry about potential ground movement startling their livestock.
“The animals, they like steady ground,” Jason McCauly said. “They don’t like anything vibrating underneath their feet.”
A few people at the meeting, however, say they would welcome a data center for how it could help the county financially.
“I’m in support of it happening because I believe we need the tax base and we can do it safely,” Terry Johnson said.
Last month, county commissioners voted to pause any permit applications for data centers and battery energy storage systems, but a public hearing was required to take place after the ordinance was passed.
The county did say, even with the moratorium in place, there have not been any data center or BESS applications.
During the six-month moratorium, the planning commission will be meeting once a month to discuss a draft zoning ordinance. Once completed, it will be handed over to commissioners for final approval. Those monthly meetings held by the planning commission will be open for public comment.
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