Senate committee hears broad support and opposition to data‑center guardrails in HB 2515

The Washington Senate Energy, Environment and Technology Committee on Thursday heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515, legislation that would set statewide standards for ‘‘emerging large energy use facilities’’—defined in the bill as facilities with a maximum aggregate contract demand of 20 megawatts or more, primarily engaged in data‑processing and related services.

Sponsor Rep. Beth Dolio framed the bill as an attempt to ‘‘do data centers right’’ by protecting ratepayers and avoiding stranded investments while allowing the state to reap construction and family‑wage jobs associated with new projects. For the record, she stated, “I am Beth Dolio.” She cited rapid industry growth and quoted industry ambitions, saying, according to a Sam Altman remark she quoted, “our vision is simple. We want to create a factory that can produce a gigawatt of new AI infrastructure every week.”

The bill would require every electric utility that serves a data center to make available a tariff or policy approved by the Utilities and Transportation Commission or a consumer‑owned utility’s governing body by Oct. 1, 2026. It…