Straight answers to the questions we’re hearing

That’s not the intent, and it’s the commitment we’re prepared to be held to. Amazon intends to pay the full cost of the energy infrastructure needed to serve the site, working with Pacific Power so those costs aren’t shifted onto existing residential or business customers.

Grid reliability matters to us as much as it does to you. If our systems go down, so does our business. We intend to work with Pacific Power on infrastructure investments, like upgraded substations and transmission capacity, that are designed to benefit reliability for everyone on the system, not just this site.

Backup generators exist so operations don’t go down during a grid outage. In practice, they run rarely — typically brief monthly tests measured in minutes, not hours — and modern emission-control technology significantly reduces pollutant output compared to older generator models. Testing is scheduled outside peak hours with sound mitigation in place.

We’re still evaluating water supply options. Whatever source is used, we’re committing to structure that supply so it doesn’t come at the expense of existing agricultural or residential water users in the valley.

The campus is being designed to conserve water. In this region’s climate, we expect outdoor air cooling to handle roughly 90% of the year, with water-based cooling reserved for the hottest periods, so the water drawn for cooling stays low.

The project intends to pay directly for any water and sewer infrastructure required to support its own development, and all discharge is intended to meet or exceed local and state water-quality standards.

Cooling systems do produce some sound, mostly from air circulation. We plan to conduct site-specific acoustic modeling, select equipment designed to minimize sound, and build in physical buffers such as landscaped berms, tree lines, and screening so the facility isn’t a disruptive presence for neighboring properties. Sound levels are also regulated by local noise ordinances.

Before any site is finalized, we intend to complete assessments covering wetlands, waterways, protected species and habitats, flood risk, air quality, and cultural resources where applicable, and to work with environmental agencies to meet or exceed applicable standards throughout the project’s lifecycle.

We expect a peak construction workforce of around 1,500 across electrical, mechanical, and general trades, followed by roughly 150 permanent, long-term technical and operations roles once the site is running.

We intend to prioritize Walla Walla County contractors and suppliers wherever qualified local capacity exists, and we’re building a local supplier registration process specifically so businesses here have a direct line into the project.

Yes. The data center pays 100% of its property taxes, which fund local schools, roads, and emergency services.

Project Walla Walla is being developed by Amazon.

Site preparation could begin as early as 2027, with initial operations anticipated around 2029. All timelines are preliminary and may change as permitting, engineering, and community engagement continue. We’ll keep the Project Status page current as real dates are set.

Public filings related to this project will be available through Walla Walla County’s permitting process, and we intend to publish an independent annual audit once operational. In the meantime, the documents below and the dated log on our Project Status page are meant to be checkable, not just promotional.