Snohomish County PUD plans for potential large-load customers
Snohomish Public Utility District (PUD) is planning for potential large-load customers, particularly data centers, although the county has not yet seen a data center boom. Residents are expressing concerns about the significant water and electricity consumption these facilities would require. The PUD is assessing feasibility, system impacts, and cost responsibilities, requiring developers to pay for necessary infrastructure.
Snohomish Public Utility District (PUD) officials are preparing for the potential arrival of large-load customers, specifically data centers, which are currently absent from Snohomish County, Washington. Erica Keene, a Snohomish PUD spokesperson, stated that current efforts focus on planning and readiness to serve future large loads.
Data centers, especially those powering AI, require massive amounts of electricity and water. A typical 1 million square foot facility could house 3 million servers, consuming up to 5 million gallons of water daily, equivalent to a town of 10,000-50,000 people. Snohomish PUD considers requests over 2.5 megawatts as large loads, while data centers often need hundreds of megawatts. Senior manager Angela Johnston noted that while the PUD received eight large-load inquiries in 2025, none were for data centers.
During a May 5 PUD Board meeting in Everett, residents voiced concerns. Arlington resident Julie Winchell highlighted the risk of supplying enormous water amounts given climate change and increasing scarcity. Camano Island resident Mary O’Farrell argued that hyperscale data centers would destabilize water, power, and land resources, while creating few jobs post-construction. Arlington resident Terry Anvik expressed a need for more public information on such projects.
Johnston explained the PUD's