Big Rock Data Center Project

The Big Rock Data Center Project is a proposed large load Data Center Complex in Spokane County requesting power delivery of 200MW by 2027, 500MW by 2032 with full capacity at 1000MW.

Spokane’s largest single building use is currently operating at 25MW (Mega Watts) per day while the average human would use 25MW in 1.5 years.

$184M Infrastructure Estimate

Water Use:

Apricus is pitching 40,000 gallons per day for each 320 MW phase, or 80,000 gallons per day at full 640 MW buildout. The Apricus’ report says this closed loop design would still consume 80,000 gallons every day at full buildout.

That is 29.2 MILLION gallons every year.

Airway Heights and Spokane County have been approached with interest in water for a data center and hydrogen facility utilizing ground water, repurposed water and the aquifer. They also want to treat their discarded water for return.

Noise Cap:

Comparable to the Spokane Airport at 65db at the property line.

Developers: Big Rock, Apricus Energy, Avista Utilities & Inland Power & Light, Lumen Technologies, Zayo Group, Ziply Fiber, Anderson Environmental, Daines Capital, Black & Veatch, Diode

Apricus Energy Partners, LLC which was formed only three years ago in 2023 in Arizona, doesn’t appear to have ever built a thing. It was a house with a terracotta-tile roof. Big Rock operates out of Delaware while operating Data Centers in Vantage, WA etc.

Halt Large Load Data Centers in Spokane County

We deserve more than a Moratorium:

We urge a halt on the development of large load data center in Spokane County and its surrounding areas. To ensure sustainable growth and resource management, we advocate for a cap on large load infrastructure at 20MW and a limit on the number of buildings with high resource demands. We also reject shell LLCs from securing sites to build large scale builds in Spokane County. We deserve more than a Moratorium. Let's protect our shared resources and prioritize sustainable community development.

Need to Know Update:

City Council Moratorium:

The city council has agreed to a moratorium that ends in early 2027 that pauses the acceptance, review, and approval of building permits for large-scale data centers (specifically targeting projects using more than 25 megavolt-amperes).

County Moratorium:

The Spokane County Commissioners have set a moratorium ending at the end of 2026 (dec 15th) or upon completion of necessary studies. An ordinance for Spokane has been drafted, and there are promises for one or two town hall meetings .

Planning Commission:

The Planning Commission has included the issue in their 2046 comprehensive plan. They have scheduled meetings the 1st Thursday after the 2nd Monday of each month.

Thursday Sept 17th at 2:00pm is the next in person and virtual meeting on the Data Center specifically.

The French Files:

These emails need a closer look from the public! Read what our elected officials are saying in private & how they communicate with lobbyists! You will likely be surprised! https://www.thefrenchfiles.com/

Airway Heights Jurisdiction:

Airway Heights is its own jurisdiction and can continue discussions and planning, including negotiations involving reclaimed water and related infrastructure. We need speakers at their Monday meetings! That's YOU!

Legal Ruling:

A judge has ruled that Eastern WA utility can take private land for data center power lines (source: tri-cityherald.com).

Spokane County Meetings

We are calling on all concerned citizens to attend our upcoming meetings to voice your opposition

Mondays

Airway Heights City Council Sessions

5:30pm

Spokane, WA

Event Details

Mondays

Airway Heights City Council Sessions

Legislative Sessions of the City Council take place the first and third Monday of the month at the Airway Heights Court House / Community Ce...

Event Details

5:30pm

Spokane, WA

Tuesdays

County Commissioners Data Center Public Hearings

9am + 2pm

Spokane, WA

Event Details

Tuesdays

County Commissioners Data Center Public Hearings

September 15th at 2:00 p.m.

County Commissioners’ Public Hearing concerning the pause in Data Center land use and permit applications in the...

Event Details

9am + 2pm

Spokane, WA

Wednesdays

Spokane City Council Legislative Meetings

6pm

Spokane, WA

Event Details

Wednesdays

Spokane City Council Legislative Meetings

Council Chambers on the lower level of Spokane City Hall 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Includes public testimony and open forum.

Vimeo Link: h...

Event Details

6pm

Spokane, WA

Thursdays

Spokane County Planning Commission Work Session on data center zoning code

9am + 4:30pm

Spokane, WA

Event Details

Thursdays

Spokane County Planning Commission Work Session on data center zoning code

Thursday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m.

Planning Commission work session on Data Center zoning code in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

...

Event Details

9am + 4:30pm

Spokane, WA

Call to Action

Contact Luc Jasmin and Governor Ferguson

Luc Jasmin - E. WA Regional Outreach Representative to Gov Ferguson: Luc.Jasmin@gov.wa.gov

Governor Ferguson 360-902-4111 -or- Action Network

Sign the No Data Center Spokane Petition and Share It

NO Spokane DATA CENTER Petition Link: https://c.org/szw6yzLPFW

Environmental Impact

Noise Pollution

Power Consumption

The effects of constant loud noise extend beyond hearing loss, impacting cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Everyday Sounds at 65 dB:

Airport, Air Conditioner, Vacuum Cleaner

Power Consumption

1000 MW could power approximately 819,672 households simultaneously. Comparison to One Person: It would take the average human approximately 250 years to use 1000 MW of power

Light Pollution

Power Consumption

Light Pollution

A 1000 MW data center might produce light pollution comparable to a small city, disrupting circadian rhythms, causing sleep disorders and increased stress, disorienting migratory patterns and altering ecosystems

Pollutants

Air Quality

Light Pollution

The facility will store a 19% aqueous ammonia solution, increasing fire risk as well as increasing risks of air and water contamination

Water Use

Air Quality

High water usage can affect local systems if water is sourced from nearby aquifers, rivers or lakes, potentially leading to degradation for the Ferry Prairie Aquifer, Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Coeur d'Alene Lake, Spokane Valley Aquifer, Spokane River, Nine Mile Falls

Air Quality

1,500 people on the Kalispel Tribe and more in the greater Spokane area affected with Plume out of a facility’s exhaust stack(s) and NOx - nitrogen oxides/burning natural gas

Big Rock Data Center Project

Halt Large Load Data Centers in Spokane County

We deserve more than a Moratorium:

Need to Know Update:

City Council Moratorium:

County Moratorium:

Planning Commission:

The French Files:

Airway Heights Jurisdiction:

Legal Ruling: