Decision Makers:
Pend Oreille County Board of Commissioners
Petition Against Data Centers and For Public Accountability in Pend Oreille County, WA
We, the people of Pend Oreille County and surrounding areas, want to make a clear statement to our elected officials who serve this county. We will not be guinea pigs for the data center race. We will not be used as political pawns to bring in companies that do not have our best interest in mind. We respectfully and resolutely request the following:
1. A ban on new data centers in our county. We understand that some exist already and have been here for a few years. However, enough is ENOUGH. We are actively against any new construction of physical facilities that house computer systems, servers, storage drives, and networking equipment to store, process, and/or distribute digital information.
2. A ban on the expansion of existing data centers. We reject any proposed or future plans to expand on existing data centers in this county. They are unwelcome here.
3. Create and enforce guard rails on existing data centers. Some effects of data centers are already known while others are yet to surface. We want protections for our water, land, and air. We want protections for the animals we hunt and the ecosystems that allow us to hunt in the first place.
4. Transparency and Accountability. The public deserves to know what contracts are being discussed or negotiated with data centers or other corporations that want to make use of our resources. We refuse back door deals and ask that demands for our utilities and infrastructure be brought to the public’s attention prior to the signing of any contracts.
We understand that data centers have a role to play in the future of our technology. But our precious land, rivers, and lakes are meant for more. They are meant for cultivating, herding, raising families, and enjoyment for future generations. Our county is sacred and deserves proper stewardship.
Signed – The People of Pend Oreille County*
*people who live, shop, or work in our county
Updates
We passed 100 signatures!
September 27, 2026
A huge thank you to the early supporters of this petition! Please continue to share so we can reach our goal of at least 1000 signatures. A wonderful article came out exposing the initiative to expand data center operations in Merkle Standard: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/25/large-data-center-proposed-for-former-papermill-in/ For those of you who aren't aware, two local candidates (Warren and Bradbury) are currently receiving donations from Merkle Standard or Ponderay Industries (sister company of Merkle). If you want to get involved in supporting candidates who will defend residents, send us an email!
Reached 100 supporters
September 27, 2026
33 Comments
The water, electricity, and land area consumed by data centers can limit these resources needed for future businesses that benefit local people. Artificial intelligence can influence critical thinking skills by making information easy to find and questionable to believe.
I have a number of concerns about the level of environmental, public-health, infrastructure, and economic oversight surrounding this facility. Because the site is already built, fully operational, and continuing to expand, I think it’s important to understand what safeguards, monitoring, approvals, and long-term planning are actually in place to protect the community as that growth continues.
We know that the crypto/paper mill project is shifting to a data center. Please do not allow them more electricity, water, or other perks like tax relief that they may seek in this sneaky transition.
Data centers ruin the environment, utilize too much water, developers of them are run by corporations having no regard for the environment. Data centers use inordinate amounts of electricity, increasing the cost to individual consumers. They run constantly making noise. They disturb wildlife and adversely affect their migration patterns. If the water that data centers consume is dumped back into the river, it will be too hot, hurting fish - especially species protected species. No Data Centers!
Data centers, especially gas-powered data centers, emit significant pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, methane, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulate matter. According to a September 2025 study, these pollutants increase rates of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and they elevate cancer risks among nearby communities. A 2025 model indicates that U.S. data centers in 2030 could cause approximately 600,000 asthma symptom cases and 1,300 premature death-
I own property here for a reason, to get away from technology!
Water consumption, electrical consumption by these companies will cost everyone, us! Our world is experiencing excessive glacial melt. Water is precious! The amount of water/power used and the resulting contamination is simply insane! Noise produced by these plants is harmful to the human body and to wildlife. This is strictly a water and power grab by billionaires. There are no regulations in place to safeguard our well being. And few jobs will actually be sustained long term.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Decision Makers:
Pend Oreille County Board of Commissioners
Petition Against Data Centers and For Public Accountability in Pend Oreille County, WA
We, the people of Pend Oreille County and surrounding areas, want to make a clear statement to our elected officials who serve this county. We will not be guinea pigs for the data center race. We will not be used as political pawns to bring in companies that do not have our best interest in mind. We respectfully and resolutely request the following:
1. A ban on new data centers in our county. We understand that some exist already and have been here for a few years. However, enough is ENOUGH. We are actively against any new construction of physical facilities that house computer systems, servers, storage drives, and networking equipment to store, process, and/or distribute digital information.
2. A ban on the expansion of existing data centers. We reject any proposed or future plans to expand on existing data centers in this county. They are unwelcome here.
3. Create and enforce guard rails on existing data centers. Some effects of data centers are already known while others are yet to surface. We want protections for our water, land, and air. We want protections for the animals we hunt and the ecosystems that allow us to hunt in the first place.
4. Transparency and Accountability. The public deserves to know what contracts are being discussed or negotiated with data centers or other corporations that want to make use of our resources. We refuse back door deals and ask that demands for our utilities and infrastructure be brought to the public’s attention prior to the signing of any contracts.
We understand that data centers have a role to play in the future of our technology. But our precious land, rivers, and lakes are meant for more. They are meant for cultivating, herding, raising families, and enjoyment for future generations. Our county is sacred and deserves proper stewardship.
Signed – The People of Pend Oreille County*
*people who live, shop, or work in our county
Updates
We passed 100 signatures!
September 27, 2026
A huge thank you to the early supporters of this petition! Please continue to share so we can reach our goal of at least 1000 signatures. A wonderful article came out exposing the initiative to expand data center operations in Merkle Standard: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2026/sep/25/large-data-center-proposed-for-former-papermill-in/ For those of you who aren't aware, two local candidates (Warren and Bradbury) are currently receiving donations from Merkle Standard or Ponderay Industries (sister company of Merkle). If you want to get involved in supporting candidates who will defend residents, send us an email!
Reached 100 supporters
September 27, 2026
33 Comments
I'm calling for a moritorium against building or expanding data centers until there are contracted safeguards to protect residents and small businesses against paying for any of the costs of building and maintaining. These companies need be mandated and monitored to pay theese costs and the costs associated with the demand for electricity and water. Also there need to be science based techniques mandated to protect the environment.
The water, electricity, and land area consumed by data centers can limit these resources needed for future businesses that benefit local people. Artificial intelligence can influence critical thinking skills by making information easy to find and questionable to believe.
I have a number of concerns about the level of environmental, public-health, infrastructure, and economic oversight surrounding this facility. Because the site is already built, fully operational, and continuing to expand, I think it’s important to understand what safeguards, monitoring, approvals, and long-term planning are actually in place to protect the community as that growth continues.
We know that the crypto/paper mill project is shifting to a data center. Please do not allow them more electricity, water, or other perks like tax relief that they may seek in this sneaky transition.
Data centers ruin the environment, utilize too much water, developers of them are run by corporations having no regard for the environment. Data centers use inordinate amounts of electricity, increasing the cost to individual consumers. They run constantly making noise. They disturb wildlife and adversely affect their migration patterns. If the water that data centers consume is dumped back into the river, it will be too hot, hurting fish - especially species protected species. No Data Centers!
Data centers, especially gas-powered data centers, emit significant pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, methane, volatile organic compounds, and fine particulate matter. According to a September 2025 study, these pollutants increase rates of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and they elevate cancer risks among nearby communities. A 2025 model indicates that U.S. data centers in 2030 could cause approximately 600,000 asthma symptom cases and 1,300 premature death-
I own property here for a reason, to get away from technology!
Water consumption, electrical consumption by these companies will cost everyone, us! Our world is experiencing excessive glacial melt. Water is precious! The amount of water/power used and the resulting contamination is simply insane! Noise produced by these plants is harmful to the human body and to wildlife. This is strictly a water and power grab by billionaires. There are no regulations in place to safeguard our well being. And few jobs will actually be sustained long term.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I'm calling for a moritorium against building or expanding data centers until there are contracted safeguards to protect residents and small businesses against paying for any of the costs of building and maintaining. These companies need be mandated and monitored to pay theese costs and the costs associated with the demand for electricity and water. Also there need to be science based techniques mandated to protect the environment.