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Seattle Council Imposes One-Year Moratorium on AI Data Centers

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Seattle city council approved a one-year moratorium on new AI data centers on June 3 2026.
The Use and Sustainability Committee voted unanimously after five developers proposed projects, two withdrew.
Amazon engineers testified spending totals $200 billion and 30,000 layoffs have occurred since October.
Officials will draft rules requiring renewable-energy sourcing, water-return goals and tech taxes.
Mayor Katie Wilson said over 10,000 emails and 50 comments show concern about utility costs and impacts.

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Story summary

Seattle city council approved a one-year moratorium on new AI data centers on June 3 2026.
The Use and Sustainability Committee voted unanimously after five developers proposed projects, two withdrew.
Amazon engineers testified spending totals $200 billion and 30,000 layoffs have occurred since October.
Officials will draft rules requiring renewable-energy sourcing, water-return goals and tech taxes.
Mayor Katie Wilson said over 10,000 emails and 50 comments show concern about utility costs and impacts.