Washington Data Center Moratorium Stalls in Legislature

Lawmakers did not pass a statewide data center moratorium in the 2026 session as Democrats gained a state House supermajority.

Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Data Centers

Washington Data Center Moratorium Stalls in Legislature

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Should Washington pass a statewide moratorium on new data centers?

Washington Democrats hold a state House supermajority for the first time since 1929 after the Nov. 3 election. Lawmakers did not pass a statewide data center moratorium, and Rep. Beth Doglio's regulation bill fell short in the final hours of the last session.

Why it matters

Washington ranks 10th nationally for data centers, with more than 100 estimated to be operating in the state. Communities cite water use, noise, grid strain and a lack of transparency as concerns, leaving local moratoria in place in several cities and counties.

Washington is estimated to host more than 100 data centers, ranking 10th nationally. Amazon Web Services purchased about 500 acres in an industrial park near Walla Walla, though the full scope of planned power and water demand was not detailed.

The players

Amazon Web Services

Amazon's cloud computing division, which operates large data center campuses across the United States and beyond.

Gov. Bob Ferguson

Washington's governor, who has said he is confident the Legislature will pass data center legislation in the 2027 session.

Rep. Beth Doglio

Washington state representative who sponsored a data center regulation bill and plans to reintroduce it with a transparency provision.

The details

Front and Centered, a coalition of more than 50 community organizations, released a 76-page report in July. In October, communities across Washington protested in sync demanding a statewide moratorium, while Walla Walla Port Commissioners kept the Amazon Web Services purchase confidential for three years under a non-disclosure agreement signed in 2023. Existing state tax breaks for server equipment and labor remain in place, though a tax break for replacing older servers was eliminated.

July: Front and Centered released its 76-page report on data centers.
2023: A non-disclosure agreement was signed regarding the Amazon Web Services land purchase.
October: Communities across Washington protested demanding a statewide moratorium.
Nov. 3: Election gave Democrats a state House supermajority.
2027 session: Gov. Bob Ferguson expects the Legislature to pass something on data centers.

Roadmap

Washington's tax breaks for server equipment and labor remain in place, while the state's local moratoria in Seattle, Spokane and several counties show communities acting where the state has not. The 2026 session's outcome leaves that split between state incentives and local restrictions unresolved until at least 2027.

Utilities would charge data centers additional fees if they exceed a set energy threshold, which could affect the electricity costs passed along to residents. Residents near existing or planned facilities face concerns over noise, water use and groundwater contamination.

The takeaway

Watch local council and county moratorium votes in Washington, since those are where residents currently have the most direct say over data center siting while the state Legislature remains stalled.

What happens next

Gov. Bob Ferguson expects the Legislature to act on data centers during the 2027 session, and Rep. Beth Doglio plans to reintroduce her regulation bill next year.