EDITORIAL: Data centers must pay their own way in Wash.
May 16-Thus far, according to people who track such things, there are no major data centers in Southwest Washington. But as the giant warehouses with rows of computer servers continue to pop up across the American landscape, and with more than 100 of them in Washington, they create issues for policymakers.
Data centers are crucial to the growing needs of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and social media. And they play an increasing role in energy policy, land-use policy, water-use policy and economic development. They also might be the ultimate NIMBY issue, with most people recognizing their importance but few desiring a center in their backyard.
As Ted Sprague, president of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council, told The Columbian last year: "Data centers are something we have never pursued and something that, frankly, we are not interested in. They utilize too much power in our opinion, they do not create very many jobs, if any at all ... and they're just a drain on local infrastructure."
On the other hand, the editors of Bloomberg Opinion weigh in the national debate surrounding data centers by writing: "A national moratorium - as several lawmakers have proposed - would only slow growth, hinder innovation and erode America's lead in the AI race. Better to reap the benefits of data centers while mitigating the downsides. ... Data centers aren't the enemy. They're the future."
That future, however, has little promise for the developed areas of Southwest Washington. With easy access to Interstate 5 and other transportation corridors, our region is better suited for industries that produce tangible goods rather than bytes and clouds.
Last year, Gov. Bob Ferguson convened a task force to weigh the issues surrounding data centers. And this year, the Legislature considered House Bill 2515, designed to assess "emerging large energy use facilities." While the legislation passed the House and was not brought to the floor in the Senate, the need for action remains.
Consider some headlines that recently have appeared throughout the state: "Data center proposals stoke concerns over power," "Data centers make it hard for states to meet climate goals" and "WA homeowners, farmers say their land is being stolen for data centers."
Whether or not centers are constructed in Southwest Washington, the accompanying issues will reach into our area of the state. In 2023, data centers accounted for 4.4 percent of U.S. electricity use; that is expected to grow to 12 percent by 2028, placing stress upon the market and increasing prices for household consumers. The same can be said for water that is required to cool the centers.
As Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, said: "As data center growth accelerates across Washington, we have a responsibility to ensure the costs of expanding the digital economy aren't shifted onto working families and small businesses."
Indeed, the costs for infrastructure and possible increases in the price of electricity and water should be borne by the tech companies that benefit from data centers. And while city and county governments can regulate zoning and permitting that manages where facilities are located, it is up to the state government to oversee the myriad issues that arise.
With a tradition of being at the forefront of high-tech development, Washington should welcome the growth of data centers and recognize their importance to the economy of the future. But officials also must recognize potential drawbacks and ensure that such centers benefit residents throughout the state.
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