After the Session, What We’re Sitting With

The Washington legislative session just wrapped up. Like most years, it’s not a clean win or a clear loss. It’s a mix. Some things moved forward. Some didn’t. And some things landed in a place that doesn’t sit right. 

But this isn’t just about what happened during the session. It’s also about what it tells us about where clean energy in Washington stands right now, and where it’s headed.

It’s hard to separate any of this from the bigger picture. A lot feels uncertain—on climate, on policy, on whether the progress we’ve made will hold. But if there’s one thing we keep coming back to, it’s this: the work doesn’t stop just because the moment feels heavy. If anything, that’s when it matters more.

This session, Carbon Washington focused on four areas: the Climate Commitment Act, Washington’s Green Bank, data centers, and power transmission. Not because they’re the only issues that matter but because they sit at the intersection of policy, equity, and the direction Washington is heading. 

The Climate Commitment Act

The Climate Commitment Act exists because people showed up for it. Voted for it. Pushed it into reality. 

And it has been working. Not perfectly, but meaningfully. It’s begun moving Washington toward a cleaner energy future while generating funds meant to be reinvested back into climate and community priorities.

That’s why it’s frustrating to see those funds being pulled in directions that weren’t part of the original promise. People were clear about what they were voting for. That should matter.

At the same time, this moment isn’t entirely surprising. Policies like this don’t just pass and then take care of themselves. They require ongoing attention, pressure, and follow-through. So this isn’t the end of the story. It’s the part where accountability becomes just as important as implementation and we are on it!

Data Centers

Washington has always been a place where tech grows fast. That’s not changing.

But the pace and scale of data center expansion are raising a bigger question, one that still doesn’t have a clear answer: who is this growth really for?

There’s increasing momentum for companies to build out their own power sources to support that growth. On paper, that can sound efficient. In practice, it risks creating a system where these power sources are not clean, and the costs and impacts are felt elsewhere.

Energy still has to meet a basic standard: it needs to be clean, affordable and reliable, and it needs to work for the people who are already under the most pressure. 

If those principles aren’t built into policy from the start, we risk locking in a system that deepens the same inequities we’re trying to solve. 

While no bill to address this topic became law in 2026, we expect our legislature to consider legislation on this topic again in 2027. 

Other states are grappling with this issue too. Texas, with the third most big data centers in the country, just passed a law that includes provisions for remote disconnection if the Electric Reliability Council of Texas deems disconnection necessary. 

Green Bank

One area that is genuinely hopeful is the state’s commitment of $25 million toward the Green Bank.

Investments like this have the potential to make a direct difference in communities across Washington. This includes expanding access to clean energy and lowering utility costs to support healthier homes and more sustainable infrastructure.

Done well, this kind of funding can help reduce carbon emissions while also building long-term economic resilience for families and businesses across the state. 

Transmission Authority 

If the past few years have made anything clear, it’s that clean energy is all about delivery.

Transmission—how energy actually moves across the state—is becoming a more central part of the conversation. Recent legislative movement has started to lay the groundwork for a more coordinated approach to transmission. But a lot is still taking shape on how decisions get made, how projects are sited, and how costs and benefits are distributed. And those details matter.

Because transmission isn’t just infrastructure. It affects affordability. It affects communities. It shapes who benefits from the transition and who carries the burden.

So while it’s encouraging to see progress, this is an area that will require continued attention. Getting it right will make the difference between a transition that works in theory and one that works in practice.

Where That Leaves Us

If there’s one takeaway from this moment, it’s that we’re still in it. The progress is real and so are the challenges. And both shapes what comes next.

There’s more work ahead—there always is—but there’s also a clear sense of where attention is needed: protecting what’s working, questioning what isn’t, and staying engaged as these decisions continue to unfold.

Washington still has the tools to lead. And how we use them now will matter.