Washington Lawmakers Aim to Regulate Data Centers

New bill seeks to protect grid, offset potential utility rate hikes

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Washington state legislators are pushing forward with a bill, House Bill 2515, that aims to regulate data centers and their impact on the electric grid. The bill would require utilities to establish tariffs to ensure data centers cover the costs of supplying them with power, and would mandate data centers to curtail electricity use during grid strain and share sustainability reports.

Why it matters

Data centers are expected to become the largest source of electricity demand in the Pacific Northwest, raising concerns about grid reliability and potential rate hikes for utility customers. The bill seeks to address these issues, but has faced some opposition from the data center industry.

The details

The bill originally required data centers to pay an annual state fee based on energy usage, but this was eliminated in an amendment. It also loosened clean energy requirements for data centers from the original draft. Supporters say the bill will protect ratepayers, while opponents argue it unfairly targets data centers and could stifle innovation and hurt the economy.

  • The bill passed out of the Appropriations Committee on Monday, February 11, 2026.
  • The bill next awaits a floor vote in the Washington state House and still needs Senate approval.

The players

House Bill 2515

The bill aimed at regulating data centers in Washington state.

Rep. Beth Doglio

The lead sponsor of House Bill 2515 and chair of the House Environment and Energy Committee.

Rep. Mary Dye

The top Republican on the Environment and Energy Committee, who sponsored an amendment to eliminate the annual state fee for data centers.

Rep. April Berg

A Democratic representative who opposed the bill in the Appropriations Committee vote.

Puget Sound Energy

Washington's largest investor-owned utility, which supports the intent of the data center legislation but says it does not address challenges related to increased competition for renewable energy.

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What they’re saying

“These policies seek to protect ratepayers by ensuring new data centers are picking up the whole tab for new growth.”

— Rep. Beth Doglio, Lead sponsor of House Bill 2515, chair of House Environment and Energy Committee (Washington State Standard)

“We know that data centers really improve the economic conditions of communities that really have not had much opportunity. By putting a tax on data centers, you make our state unattractive for that opportunity.”

— Rep. Mary Dye, Top Republican on Environment and Energy Committee (Washington State Standard)

“I think we absolutely need to keep having conversations that protect ratepayers, that protect our climate and that protect our communities. I really want to sit down and be collaborative because I do know of communities like in Quincy where their property taxes have been cut in half.”

— Rep. April Berg, Democratic representative (Washington State Standard)

What’s next

The bill next awaits a floor vote in the Washington state House and still needs Senate approval.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the growing tensions between the data center industry's energy demands and the need to protect ratepayers and the electric grid. As data centers become a larger part of the Pacific Northwest's energy landscape, policymakers are grappling with how to balance economic development with grid reliability and environmental concerns.