Our community is facing an unprecedented and silent threat to our resources, our infrastructure, and our pocketbooks. The massive, rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) has big tech corporations scouring the Pacific Northwest for cheap power and land. Because of our prime industrial zoning—including the Sumner-Pacific Manufacturing/Industrial Center (MIC)—Sumner is directly in the crosshairs for massive, resource-guzzling AI data centers. These are not standard business parks or warehouses that provide hundreds of local jobs. These are massive industrial server farms that threaten to monopolize our local utility grid, consume millions of gallons of water for cooling, and drive up electricity costs for local families. We cannot afford to let developers lock in their projects before our city has a chance to pass protective regulations. We need to hit the pause button now. Under Washington State Law (RCW 35A.63.220), the Sumner City Council has the explicit legal authority to instantly pass a 1-Year Emergency Moratorium on the siting and permitting of new high-density data centers. Why Sumner Must Enact a Moratorium Immediately: Protecting Our Power Grid & Utility Rates: AI data centers consume an astronomical amount of electricity—often more than thousands of residential homes combined. Letting these facilities hook into our local infrastructure without safeguards risks overloading the grid and driving up utility rates for local residents and small businesses during an ongoing affordability crisis. Preventing "Job Deserts" on Prime Industrial Land: Sumner’s industrial valley should be reserved for businesses that contribute to our local economy and provide sustainable, high-quality employment for local workers. A 100,000-square-foot data center can operate with as few as 10 to 30 permanent staff members, killing potential job growth on our limited industrial land. Guarding Against Noise and Environmental Pollution: The industrial cooling fans and massive diesel backup generators required to run these facilities operate 24/7, introducing low-frequency noise pollution that can severely impact the quality of life in surrounding residential neighborhoods. We are not asking to ban technology; we are asking our leaders to do their homework. Regional precedent has already been set. The Seattle City Council just unanimously passed an emergency one-year moratorium on data centers to protect their local grid and study infrastructure impacts. Other jurisdictions across the country are doing the exact same. Sumner must protect itself before it is too late. Our Demand: We, the residents, business owners, and taxpayers of Sumner, demand that the City Council immediately invoke RCW 35A.63.220 to enact a one-year emergency moratorium on all new data center applications. This pause must remain in effect while the city conducts a comprehensive impact study on water consumption, grid capacity, noise mitigation, and local economic benefit, ensuring that permanent zoning updates protect our community first.   Sign this petition to tell City Hall: Protect Sumner's resources, protect our rates, and pause the data centers!