Have thoughts on how data centers could impact electric resources and consumers in Washington state? State officials want to hear from you. 

The state’s Utilities and Transportation Commission, or UTC, recently scheduled a technical workshop meeting for 9 a.m. on April 27 to launch its work studying how future facilities that require large energy loads, such as data centers, could impact how the state’s investor-owned electric utilities serve those projects and their other customers. 

“While electric utilities regulated by the commission have not seen the large load growth experienced by other areas of the state and country, taking proactive steps will help the commission balance economic development opportunities with the protection of utility customers,” the UTC said in a statement. 

The meeting will be held in a hybrid format and information about how to attend is available here: utc.wa.gov/event/88977. Commissioners are seeking initial responses to questions posed in its official meeting notice by 5 p.m. April 21. 

Gov. Bob Ferguson created a Data Center Workgroup in 2025 as part of an effort to identify the benefits and impacts of data center development in the state. The workgroup’s preliminary report called on the commission to ensure ratepayers are protected and that energy needs can be properly forecasted to meet future demand. 

The UTC’s study process is expected to take between six to eight months. The public is invited to comment at any point in the process and future meetings and workshops will be announced.