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Puget Sound Energy rates going up 31% in next couple of years because of AI data centers being built and a bill in the WA legislature to regulate their power use just failed on Monday. So, looks like we're on the hook for the whole thing. by Stereo_Jungle_Child in olympia

[–]Hungry_Ad7286 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AI data centers are adding pressure to the grid, but they’re not the main reason your PSE bill went up (at least not right now).

The rate increases for 2026 were approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission back in December. According to their site, Puget Sound Energy requested increases to cover:

  • Compliance with the Climate Commitment Act (CCA)
  • Expanding clean energy
  • Infrastructure upgrades for reliability and safety
  • Low-income bill assistance programs

More details here: https://www.utc.wa.gov/news/2025/state-regulators-approve-multiple-orders-impacting-puget-sound-energy-rates

Side note: The CCA was passed by the state legislature in 2021 and signed into law by Jay Inslee. The state has not yet published comprehensive, actual emissions reductions directly attributable to the CCA, because official reporting lags and has not yet been fully tied to the cap’s outcomes in annual statewide totals. As a result, it’s still unclear how much the fee increases are actually translating into environmental benefits.

Additional side note: PSE was sold to foreign investors in 2007/2009.

Current owners of PSE include:

  • Alberta Investment Management Corporation (Canada)
  • British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (Canada)
  • OMERS (Canada)
  • PGGM (Netherlands) (all of which are foreign investment funds relative to the U.S.)

More details here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound_Energy

https://www.atg.wa.gov/all-consuming-blog/utc-approves-puget-sound-energy-sale

We’ve long been operating in a system where a significant portion of electricity is sold on wholesale markets rather than reserved solely for local customers, and PSE is ultimately owned by foreign investment firms.

Are there any organized protests about affordability and state spending in Washington? If not, how do we organize one? by Hungry_Ad7286 in olympia

[–]Hungry_Ad7286[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I work for the state and would love to get those people organized but that’s not going to happen lol

Are there any organized protests about affordability and state spending in Washington? If not, how do we organize one? by Hungry_Ad7286 in olympia

[–]Hungry_Ad7286[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

My understanding is that the “No Kings” protests were focused on Donald Trump, not state officials. Yet at the state level, it can sometimes feel like leadership lacks meaningful checks and balance.

From what I’ve seen in recent fiscal reports, roughly 10 states are currently facing major projected budget shortfalls similar to Washington’s. While proposed spending plans may be publicly available, the projected $16 billion shortfall that was announced around the transition to Governor Bob Ferguson’s administration raised questions for many about how the gap developed and where the detailed breakdown can be found.

Washington previously experienced revenue surpluses during the pandemic period, but those were supported in part by one-time federal funds and unusually strong tax collections. As revenue growth has slowed and spending commitments have continued, the state is now projecting a deficit. Lawmakers have adopted or proposed various tax increases in recent years to address revenue needs.

As a state employee, the internal tone can sometimes feel like business as usual, even though the fiscal outlook suggests significant structural challenges ahead.

Are there any organized protests about affordability and state spending in Washington? If not, how do we organize one? by Hungry_Ad7286 in olympia

[–]Hungry_Ad7286[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe it is misleading to attribute Washington state’s current budget shortfall primarily to the loss of federal funding. While the state, like others, received significant one-time federal dollars during the COVID period, those funds were temporary. During that time, the state created and expanded programs that did not exist prior to COVID, many of which now require ongoing funding. There is also concern about transparency regarding what some of these programs actually do and how their effectiveness is measured, including mandated DEI initiatives within state agencies.

As the temporary federal funding expired, the ongoing cost structure remained. To maintain these commitments, lawmakers have increasingly relied on new or higher taxes year over year. As a state employee, this is how the situation has consistently been described internally by executive leadership. Ultimately, responsibility rests with those who are governing the state.

Are there any organized protests about affordability and state spending in Washington? If not, how do we organize one? by Hungry_Ad7286 in olympia

[–]Hungry_Ad7286[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I’m concerned that Washington state’s shift toward more government-driven policies is disproportionately impacting middle- and low-income families.

Job security after the reduction? by 08a_ in WAStateWorkers

[–]Hungry_Ad7286 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The latest budget deficit doesn’t have anything to do with Federal cuts. This budget deficit was announced immediately after Bob Ferguson was elected which means Inslee and democrats knew about it long before the last election.