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State data-center working group kicks off recommendations; forecasting and fair‑share cost issues front and center
Summary
UTC and Commerce reported on a governor-led data-center work group (EO 25 0 5) that adopted findings and draft recommendations for public comment; members flagged widely divergent forecasts for data center load, tax incentives, rate impacts and the need to require or incentivize flexibility from large loads.
UTC staff summarized work group activity created by the governor’s executive order (EO 25 0 5) and said the Department of Revenue is leading a broad multi-stakeholder group that includes agencies, tribes, industry and legislators. The chair recited the executive-order goal: "We must ensure Washington remains a leader in technology and sustainability," and staff described a timeline that includes public comment on draft recommendations and a report to the governor due December 1.
UTC staff told the meeting that forecasts for data-center pipeline and load vary widely across sources and emphasized the importance of separating speculative pipeline from committed projects. The presentation cited multiple numbers—McKinsey and other industry estimates—showing potentially tens of gigawatts of pipeline, and staff urged policymakers to get forecasts right so planning and cost-allocation decisions (including ensuring large loads pay their fair share) are sound. The work group voted findings and advanced recommendations for public comment with a two-week comment window and additional meetings before a December deliverable.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 2470, topfinish SEG 2769.
