Data center environmental guardrails
During the short 2026 legislative session, environmental advocates prioritized commonsense guardrails on data centers along with other climate and pollution measures. Rapid data-center growth raises local concerns about energy, water, land use, and community impacts that the Legislature weighed against technology and economic development interests.
Should Washington place stronger environmental and community guardrails on data centers?
Tap a point along the line below to show where you stand.
How important is this to you?
✓ You told us where you stand
Sources
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.
Earthjustice — https://earthjustice.org/experts/eric-gonzalez-alfaro/wins-and-highlights-from-the-washington-2026-legislative-session
This year’s fast and furious session included several challenges but also notable successes, namely progress on key environmental legislation and two significant budget victories.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Impose strict limits on new data centers until energy, water, and climate standards are met
- Adopt stronger statewide environmental and community guardrails on data center growth
- Use case-by-case local review with some statewide minimum environmental standards
- Keep light-touch rules so Washington remains highly competitive for data center investment
- Deregulate data center siting and reject new state environmental restrictions on the industry