Data center regulation and energy use
The rapid expansion of data centers in Washington state has prompted legislative attention during the 2026 session. Earthjustice and other advocates pushed for 'commonsense guardrails' on data centers, reflecting concerns about their energy consumption, water use, and environmental impact in a state already facing grid and resource pressures.
Should Washington state impose environmental regulations on new and expanding data centers?
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Sources
Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, Earthjustice — https://earthjustice.org/experts/eric-gonzalez-alfaro/wins-and-highlights-from-the-washington-2026-legislative-session
This year, Earthjustice's work with the Washington Legislature focused on commonsense guardrails on data centers, curbing marine pollution, and securing state funding for two key Snake River studies.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Impose strict energy and water use caps on data centers and require them to run on 100% renewable energy.
- Require data centers to meet strong environmental standards and disclose their energy and water consumption.
- Set reasonable guardrails on data center growth while ensuring the state remains competitive for tech investment.
- Allow market forces and existing utility regulations to manage data center energy use without new mandates.
- Reject new regulations on data centers; they create jobs and investment and should be encouraged to expand.