VIDEO | Rep. Stephanie Barnard on Senate Bill 5982: The environmental impact on data centers and economic development
During floor debate, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, expresses her concerns regarding Senate Bill 5982. While acknowledging the environmental goals of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), she argues that expanding its scope at this time could stifle economic growth in Washington state.
During her remarks, she warns that Washington is already struggling to attract new businesses and that additional regulations could drive investors to other states like New York or New Hampshire. She highlights data centers as vital economic drivers, particularly for rural communities, and counters claims about their water and energy consumption. She also emphasizes the need to build the state’s tax base through economic development rather than imposing layers of regulation that might hamstring future investments.
