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