Data centers provide the infrastructure, computing resources, and efficient cooling systems needed to train and run complex AI models. In February, Governor Ferguson issued an executive order commissioning a workgroup to recommend policies on data centers in Washington State. The workgroup will report their findings on how data centers impact our state’s economy, tax revenue, energy use, tribal resources, and the environment.
You can find information about workgroup membership, meetings, and materials on this webpage. The next workgroup meeting is scheduled for late September.
TAWA’s Power Up Team is partnering with the Washington Clean Energy Coalition to monitor workgroup proceedings and develop recommendations. Our preliminary recommendations to the workgroup:
- WA emissions goals upheld. Data centers operating in Washington State should be powered by renewable energy. Data centers should not compromise goals in reducing emissions specified in the Climate Commitment Act and the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
- No cost increases for WA customers. Data centers should not increase the cost of electricity for residential or commercial customers in our state.
- No financial support through our taxes. Local and state tax increases should not contribute to the construction and operation of data centers.
- No adverse impacts on nearby WA communities and habitats. Data centers should not affect the availability of clean water in nearby communities, as has happened elsewhere, or harm fish and wildlife by releasing heated water into the environment.
- Public information available on costs and benefits. Builders and operators should be required to provide timely and transparent data on the costs and benefits of data centers. The public needs sufficient information to understand how these facilities will meet their obligations before construction begins.
- Electric service capacity and resiliency intact. Data centers should not reduce grid capacity or resiliency during extreme weather events or natural disasters.