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Appropriations hears sharp split over new rules and fees for big energy users including data centers
Summary
Supporters urged HB 2515 to protect ratepayers and require energy-use fees, clean-energy sourcing and reporting for large energy users; industry groups and utilities warned fees and requirements could harm competitiveness and market viability for data centers.
The committee heard intense, multi‑stakeholder testimony on substitute House Bill 2515, which would regulate "emerging large energy use facilities" (ELUFs) — a category the bill defines to include facilities of 20 megawatts or more, such as large data centers and some crypto-mining operations.
Laws and duties: Staff described provisions requiring utilities to adopt tariffs or policies that prevent cost shifts to other customers, create reporting requirements (including tri‑annual sustainability reports and annual reports to Ecology), and establish interconnection best practices. The bill also sets…
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