A little-known startup with virtually no history of constructing major infrastructure is proposing one of the largest artificial intelligence data center projects in the Pacific Northwest, igniting fierce public opposition and raising serious questions about transparency, water usage, electrical demand, and the growing AI infrastructure boom sweeping across America.

The proposal centers on 514 acres near Spokane, Washington, where Apricus Energy Partners hopes to develop a massive AI data center paired with a hydrogen production facility. If fully built, the project could eventually require up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity—an amount that critics say would rival or exceed the residential electrical demand of the surrounding county.

Residents packed Spokane County Planning Commission meetings this week, warning officials that the project could permanently alter the region while benefiting a company that, according to public records, has little experience bringing projects of this magnitude to completion.

Who Is Apricus Energy Partners?

One of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposal is not simply the size of the project—but the company behind it.

According to public records:

• Apricus Energy Partners was formed only a few years ago.
• The company reportedly has fewer than a dozen employees.
• Its Spokane address is listed as a post office box.
• The original Arizona registration was later dissolved.
• Earlier proposals in California and elsewhere reportedly never advanced beyond conceptual discussions.

Despite its limited public track record, Apricus has presented ambitious plans involving hydrogen production, renewable energy integration, and one of the region’s largest AI computing facilities.

Founder Sean P. Boyd has promoted hydrogen production as the centerpiece of the project, with the data center providing the financial foundation needed to support long-term hydrogen development.

Commissioner Says Hydrogen—Not AI—Is the Goal

Spokane County Commissioner Al French has expressed strong interest in the proposal, emphasizing that hydrogen production—not the data center itself—is what attracted his support.

According to French, the hydrogen facility represents an opportunity to develop next-generation clean energy technology that could eventually support transportation and other industries.

He has also stated that any developer would be responsible for paying infrastructure costs without shifting expenses onto local taxpayers or drawing directly from the regional aquifer.

Those assurances, however, have done little to calm public concerns.

Residents Pack Public Meetings

Planning Commission meetings quickly shifted from routine planning discussions into emotionally charged public hearings.

Residents described fears over:

• Increased electricity demand
• Massive water consumption
• Existing PFAS groundwater contamination
• Declining property values
• Industrial noise
• Air pollution
• Long-term strain on public infrastructure

Several residents urged county leaders to enact a temporary moratorium on new AI data centers until comprehensive regulations could be developed.

One planning commissioner attempted to recommend such a pause.

The motion failed.

County officials remain divided over whether delaying projects would protect residents—or send a message that Spokane is closed to future investment.

The AI Power Problem

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the proposal is its projected energy demand.

According to planning documents, the completed facility could eventually seek access to approximately 1,000 megawatts of electrical power.

For perspective, facilities of this size rank among the largest data centers ever proposed and reflect the enormous energy requirements created by artificial intelligence.

Modern AI systems require vast numbers of specialized computer processors operating around the clock.

Those servers generate tremendous amounts of heat, requiring equally massive cooling systems that consume significant electricity and, depending on design, substantial quantities of water.

Across the country, utilities are struggling to keep pace with exploding demand driven largely by AI expansion.

Hydrogen Production Adds Another Layer

Apricus says the project would also produce hydrogen using either:

• Electrolysis
• Methane pyrolysis

According to company statements, electrolysis could utilize treated wastewater rather than directly drawing from the local aquifer.

Company representatives have also suggested contaminated groundwater might eventually be treated before reuse, though many residents remain skeptical until detailed engineering plans are made public.

At present, county officials say no formal development application has been submitted.

Planning staff are instead working on regulations that could govern future AI data center proposals.

Infrastructure Challenges Remain

Utility studies indicate that providing the full electrical demand envisioned by Apricus would require major new transmission infrastructure costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Current engineering analyses reportedly indicate only a fraction of the requested power could initially be delivered.

Additional regional transmission upgrades or new generating capacity would likely be necessary before the project could reach its ultimate scale.

Those realities have fueled additional questions about how quickly—or whether—the proposal could ever become operational.

News Watchmen Analysis

The Spokane controversy reflects a national trend.

Artificial intelligence has created an unprecedented race to build data centers capable of supporting increasingly powerful AI models.

Technology companies are searching for land with:

• Reliable electricity
• Water access
• Fiber connectivity
• Favorable tax policies
• Available transmission capacity

Communities, meanwhile, are increasingly asking whether the economic benefits justify the potential impacts on infrastructure, natural resources, and local quality of life.

As AI demand accelerates, similar debates are unfolding across the United States.

Prophetic Perspective

The race to construct enormous AI data centers represents more than technological progress—it reflects humanity’s accelerating dependence on artificial intelligence, centralized computing, and digital infrastructure.

Scripture reminds us that knowledge would dramatically increase in the last days.

Daniel 12:4 declares:

“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

While the Bible does not specifically mention artificial intelligence, it repeatedly warns of a future world marked by unprecedented global systems, expanding technological capability, and increasing concentration of economic and political power.

As governments and corporations invest billions into AI infrastructure, believers should remain discerning, recognizing both the remarkable benefits of innovation and the importance of maintaining accountability, transparency, and wise stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to communities.

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• Data Centers Expected to Add $6.3 Billion to Electricity Bills Across 13 States
• National Day of Protest Against AI Data Centers Planned Across America as Community Opposition Grows

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apricus Energy Partners proposing?

The company has proposed a large AI data center and hydrogen production facility on approximately 514 acres near Spokane’s West Plains.

Why are residents concerned?

Many residents cite potential impacts on electricity demand, water resources, infrastructure, property values, and environmental quality.

Has the project been approved?

No. County officials have stated that no formal development application is currently under review.

Why would the facility require so much electricity?

Modern AI data centers operate thousands of high-performance processors around the clock, creating enormous computing and cooling demands.

Will Spokane adopt regulations for AI data centers?

County planners say they are developing zoning rules and guidance that could be presented later this year.

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