US Cities Ban or Reject Large AI Data Centers

Seattle and other US municipalities are moving to block large-scale data centers amid rising public alarm over energy consumption and land degradation. In Seattle, two developers, including the Tukwila-based firm Sabey, withdrew proposals after reports revealed four companies sought 369 megawatts from Seattle City Light—roughly one-third of the city's average daily power usage. In response to 54,000 public messages of opposition, City Councilmembers Eddie Lin, Debora Juarez, and Joy Hollingsworth announced a proposed one-year moratorium on new facilities, while Mayor Katie Wilson explores long-term policy alternatives.

Similar resistance has emerged in smaller communities. In Cassville, Wisconsin, residents unanimously passed an ordinance banning data centers for up to two years. The vote followed a billion-dollar anonymous proposal that promised $5.5 million in annual tax revenue but threatened 500 acres of the Driftless area and risked well contamination.

In Sherman, Texas, a developer withdrew a proposal for a facility planned near a local high school. Mayor Shawn Teamann stated the withdrawal allows the city to establish necessary zoning rules and investigate the impact of such facilities on water and electrical infrastructure. The trend reflects a growing movement of local governments seeking to implement strict regulations or total bans to protect residential zones and natural resources from the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.