MOUNT VERNON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Mount Vernon has joined other Skagit County municipalities in “pumping the brakes” on data centers.

The city council voted 6-1 on Wednesday, Aug. 14, to approve a six-month moratorium on applications for data centers.

Though the city currently has no pending applications, council member Melissa Beaton said they’re trying to get ahead of the curve.

“We’re just kind of pumping the brakes a little bit, making sure we get this issue right, and that we hear from the community and understand all of the pros and cons,” Beaton said at the meeting.

The city cited data centers’ significant water use and the city’s high flood risk in explaining the potential drawbacks.

According to the emergency ordinance, the council will hold a public hearing within 60 days of Wednesday’s meeting. Meanwhile, the city’s development services department will research data centers and start drafting a proposal for permanent regulations.

The decision follows similar moves by Skagit County and La Conner. Both have pointed to the large amount of open, relatively cheap space throughout the county as something that could attract data centers.