Environment and climate bills that passed and failed in WA’s legislative session

During Washington's legislative session, lawmakers focused on meeting state climate goals, including a mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% below 1990 levels. Data centers were a significant focus, as they are projected to become the Pacific Northwest's largest electricity consumers. A sweeping bill (House Bill 2515) to directly regulate data centers, requiring them to adopt emissions-free power by 2045 and share sustainability data, ultimately failed in the Senate Ways and Means committee, though its sponsor, Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, plans to reintroduce it next year. Despite this setback, other related legislation advanced. Senate Bill 6355, sponsored by Sen. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah, passed and will establish a state electrical transmission authority. This authority will allow Washington to construct and manage its own grid infrastructure, independent of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), aiming to improve reliability, achieve clean energy standards, and maintain affordable rates amid growing demand from data centers and electric vehicles. Additionally, Senate Bill 5982, also sponsored by Sen. Hunt and a recommendation from the Washington Data Center Workgroup, passed. This bill closes a loophole in the Clean Energy Transformation Act by requiring independent power facilities, including those serving data centers, to comply with the state's mandate for a completely greenhouse gas emission-free electricity supply by 2045. Opponents, including Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, argued that these regulations could make Washington less competitive for business investment.