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Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson launched a new workgroup that seeks to evaluate the impacts of data centers on Washington’s economy, tax revenue, energy use, and the environment.
Data centers are facilities that house computing infrastructure that process massive amounts of data. They are essential to the digital economy, but they also consume significant amounts of electricity. That high electricity demand can strain the local power grid and require increased energy generation, storage and transmission.
“We must ensure Washington remains a leader in technology and sustainability — these experts will help us do that,” Ferguson said. “This group will help us balance industry growth, tax revenue needs, energy constraints and sustainability.”
Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-05 directing the Washington State Department of Revenue to establish and lead a data center workgroup. The group will recommend policies and actions for addressing energy use and impacts on the economy and job market.
The workgroup will include representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Utilities and Transportation Commission, the Department of Ecology, electric utilities, environmental advocacy groups, labor organizations and industry stakeholders.
The data center workgroup will submit its findings and make any policy recommendations by Dec. 1, 2025.