Mayor Wilson considers moratorium on new data centers projects in Seattle

Mayor Katie Wilson on Saturday floated a proposal to enact a moratorium on new data centers in Seattle after the city’s utility said it had received five proposals to build the facilities.

Wilson said that the city has not “authorized nor permitted any new data centers” and added that she was responding to public alarm in considering the moratorium, a response to a report by the Seattle Times earlier this month.

“I share community concerns about environmental justice, economic resilience and impacts of increased costs for Seattle rate payers,” Wilson wrote in a post on Facebook. “That’s why my team is working closely with Seattle City Light, City Council and stakeholders to identify a range of long-term policy approaches, including exploring a moratorium on siting new centers.”

A spokesperson for City Light deferred to the mayor’s office. A spokesperson for Wilson did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/20/mayor-katie-wilson-data-centers-moratorium.html