by Kirk Kirkland
Congress, state legislators, and local Pierce County leaders have stepped up to establish common-sense guardrails addressing the fears around AI data centers.
Rather than letting rapid technological expansion outpace public policy, our leaders are putting community priorities, and economic accountability first.
At the federal level, lawmakers are pushing for a national pause to ensure safety standards catch up to technological growth. On March 25, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, joined by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who introduced identical companion legislation in the House.
“Data center construction inflates electric bills in communities across the country. All of this harm has occurred because of the absence of legislation to regulate AI,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We stand with the American people to stop the expansion of these data centers. We must choose humanity over profit.”
The AI Data Center Moratorium Act of 2026 would halt the construction and expansion of major AI facilities. The measure calls for a federal moratorium until the following comprehensive safeguards are enacted:
- AI will be safe and effective — preventing executives in the AI industry from releasing products into the world that threaten the health and well-being of families
- AI does not increase electricity or utility prices, or destroy the environment.
This Federal measure bans U.S. exports of AI infrastructure to countries that do not have safeguards in place. These countries must guarantee that workers are protected, and AI does not harm the environment.
States and municipalities are taking decisive action as well. Across the nation, more than 100 local jurisdictions and over a dozen states have advanced moratorium proposals to manage infrastructure demands.
This regulatory momentum aligns with calls from over 1,000 scientists and industry leaders, including executives from top labs including xAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. They have voiced support for coordinated pauses to ensure safe, deliberate development.
Here in Washington State, Representative Beth Doglio led efforts to address large-scale energy demands by advancing Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 out of the House last session. The landmark measure focused on “emerging large energy use facilities” and operations drawing 20 megawatts or more. This sets a framework to safeguard the state’s power grid.
Under this proposed bill, utilities serving these facilities must develop dedicated tariffs to prevent costs being passed onto residential or small commercial ratepayers. Furthermore, the legislation establishes strict clean energy mandates, requiring qualifying facilities to source 80% of their power from renewable generation by 2031, and reach 100% renewable by 2046.
Locally, Pierce County planning department is taking responsibility for its infrastructure footprint. AI-ready data center capacity is projected to grow roughly 33 percent annually through 2030, creating a steady influx of local proposals.
In preparation, Pierce County officials are making key decisions regarding land use, water rights, and energy allocations through local ordinances to document exactly if, where, and how these facilities can be sited.
Even without express zoning authority over every aspect of technological development, county leaders play a central role in contextualizing proposals. By distinguishing data centers from traditional industrial uses local officials are setting realistic expectations and ensuring that tech expansion balances projected economic benefits with long-term community well-being.
Through proactive legislation at every level of government, our elected leaders and planning staff are demonstrating that we do not have to choose between technological progress and community protection. By laying down firm financial, environmental, and operational guardrails, they are addressing public fears and ensuring that the next phase of development serves the public good.
Information for this story came from press releases and information provided by legislative analysis of the proposed legislation.
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