One proposed data center asked for 500 megawatts — roughly half of everything Spokane County consumes — and now county leaders want a total freeze on new permits. And that's only where today's briefing begins.
🚨 **COMMUNITY** — Spokane County, Washington commissioners Chris Jordan and Amber Waldref proposed a nine-month moratorium on new data center building permits Monday, after utility Avista paused an energy request for a proposed 500 MW facility — a demand roughly equal to half the county's existing energy consumption. (Source: KREM / Strisker Daily Notes)
🔥 **COMMUNITY** — After residents packed a heated public hearing warning about grid strain, utility bills, noise, and Long Island's sole-source aquifer, the Brookhaven, NY town board voted unanimously for an 18-month moratorium on all new data center applications. The town IDA won't entertain proposals during the pause. (Source: News 12 / South Shore Press / Patch)
⚖️ **LEGAL** — Loudoun County, Virginia — the heart of Data Center Alley — filed a consent motion Monday asking the State Corporation Commission to suspend its June 29 order approving Dominion Energy's Golden-Mars transmission line through Ashburn and Sterling, just hours before the SCC's jurisdiction lapsed. Settlement talks with Dominion and Loudoun County Public Schools have made "meaningful progress"; a joint board meeting is set for July 29. (Source: WUSA9)
⚡ **POWER** — BloombergNEF's new report projects data centers will consume 20% of U.S. electricity by 2035 — up from 5.9% today — reaching 194 GW of demand, an 83% jump from its December forecast. PJM would send 34% of its power to data centers; ERCOT 22%. (Source: Bloomberg / TechCrunch / Latitude Media)
💧 **WATER** — California's legislature passed a bill requiring data centers to disclose projected water use before approval and certify actual use annually; it awaits Gov. Newsom's signature. The IEA says a 100 MW data center can consume ~500,000 gallons/day, and a Guardian analysis fo
