In Central Washington’s Grant County, the rapid growth of data centers is straining the power grid.
How a Boom in Data Centers is Overwhelming the Power Grid in Central Washington’s Grant County
In Central Washington’s high desert Grant County is dealing with a big energy problem due to the growing number of data centers. For years, the county’s dams on the Columbia River provided plenty of clean power, enough to meet local needs and sell extra electricity cheaply. But now, data centers huge buildings full of computer servers are using up a lot of this power. What was once a benefit has become a problem, forcing the county to choose between breaking state rules on fossil fuels or risking power shortages that could affect homes, businesses, and important services.
(photo: The Seattle Times)
How Data Centers are Throwing a Wrench into Washington’s Carbon Neutrality Goals
The problem comes from conflicting state policies. In 2019, Washington set a goal for its utilities to be carbon-neutral by 2030 but also gave big tax breaks to attract data centers. This has led to a drop in the state’s use of renewable energy even though it has a lot of hydropower. Experts including Randall Hardy from the Bonneville Power Administration, point out that the growing energy needs of data centers are too much for the current hydro system to handle. The worldwide rise in artificial intelligence and data storage needs makes the problem even worse.
Different states are trying different ways to handle this issue. Virginia and Georgia, for example are looking at ways to make data centers more energy-efficient. In contrast, Washington has been slow to study how much power these centers use. Governor Jay Inslee’s administration, while committed to green energy has avoided a detailed study, saying existing forecasts are enough. This hesitation highlights the difficult balance between advancing technology protecting the environment and ensuring a steady supply of power leaving Grant County and similar areas struggling with how to manage their energy resources amid expanding digital demands, according to the report of Bro Publica.
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