Residents present petition seeking safeguards or moratorium on hyperscale data centers in Cascade County

Steve Kraut, representing the Golden Triangle Resource Council, told the commission he and others submitted a petition signed by roughly 250 Cascade County residents asking for proactive safeguards related to hyperscale data center development. "We respectfully bring to you today, commissioners, a letter and a petition asking that you take some common sense steps in this direction," Kraut said, and highlighted concerns including water consumption, waste disposal, noise and light pollution.

Kraut asked the commission to send a letter to the Public Service Commission asking for binding protections such as a tariff on very large loads to prevent everyday ratepayers from subsidizing development; to send a letter to the governor's energy task force; and to consider a countywide moratorium on hyperscale data center development until statewide safeguards are established. Gordon Warrior, speaking after Kraut, said the petition gathered about 252 signatures over two days and urged the commission to schedule a public hearing on the matter.

Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the petition and invited the petitioners to return with materials; the transcript records the public comments and requests but does not show the commission taking immediate formal action on the requests during this meeting.