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Washington state's House Bill 2515, aimed at regulating data centers for environmental and ratepayer protection, has failed to pass. The bill's demise followed significant lobbying efforts and public opposition from major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon, despite support from environmental groups and consumer advocates.
The Nordic region is experiencing an unprecedented boom in data center construction, driven by the insatiable energy demands of artificial intelligence. Tech giants and specialized 'neocloud' providers are flocking to countries like Norway, Sweden, and Finland, drawn by abundant, cheap, and renewable energy, naturally cool climates, and available land. This shift marks a strategic move away from traditional European tech hubs, positioning the Arctic edge as a vital new frontier for AI infrastructure.
GeekWire's top stories for the week of Feb. 15, 2026, highlight Microsoft's new RTO policy and leadership changes at Xbox and Remitly. Washington state is setting new terms for data centers, while Seattle-area startups Temporal and Duckbill secured significant funding rounds. The tech community also paid tribute to desktop publishing pioneer Paul Brainerd.
The Trump administration has repealed Biden-era Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), reverting power plant pollution controls to 2012 levels. This rollback coincides with soaring electricity demand from AI data centers, domestic manufacturing, and electric vehicles. Critics argue the move sacrifices health protections for industry savings, while aging coal plants are kept online to meet the growing energy needs.
