AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Water Use: Amazon says its data centers used 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, renewing scrutiny as Seattle and other cities weigh moratoriums and transparency rules. Local Governance: Seattle’s Seahawks unveiled their Super Bowl LX championship rings, a reminder of how major events drive local business and branding. Energy & Industry: Moses Lake opened the first U.S. commercial sustainable aviation fuel plant making jet fuel from captured CO2, with Alaska Airlines slated to use the fuel. EV Infrastructure: Washington awarded Commerce grants for new EV chargers, including fast-charging at a Mason County site and tribal and housing projects. Cybersecurity: An Everett-based Fluke Corp. faces a class action alleging it failed to prevent a 2025 data breach and delayed notice. Public Safety: City drought messaging in Auburn highlights firework restrictions as dry conditions raise wildfire risk.

Aerospace & MRO Dealmaking: XLCS Partners advised Aero Controls on its acquisition by Air Transport Components, expanding a Seattle-area FAA/EASA repair-and-parts footprint. Airport Planning: Federal Way residents get a chance to weigh in on SEA Airport’s SEPA draft environmental impact statement for near-term master plan projects, including air quality, noise, and water impacts. Clean Energy Investment: Seattle startup Endurance Energy raised $54M to scale undersea geothermal power from deep-sea volcano heat, with a first Washington/Oregon deployment planned. Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Moses Lake’s Twelve opened AirPlant One, the first U.S. commercial E-Jet fuel plant using CO2 and renewable electricity, with Alaska Airlines lined up for fuel purchases. Local Housing Push: The Ballmer Group committed funding for 10,000 affordable rental homes in Washington using forgivable loans tied to long-term affordability. Tech & Data Centers: Seattle’s AI-data-center moratorium and related state law changes keep pressure on how the region manages power and water demand. Workforce & Safety: WSDOT will use a mobile speed camera in a Spokane construction zone to enforce work-zone speeds while crews are present. Industrial Tragedy Update: Longview paper mill spill deaths were attributed to alkaline chemical burns, as investigators continue safety review. Energy Policy Fight: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and new builds, drawing renewed debate over grid reliability versus subsidies.

Clean Energy Court Fight: Washington’s Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on whether regulators improperly approved the Horse Heaven wind project, a case that could reshape how the state permits major clean power builds. Aviation Decarbonization: Washington opened AirPlant One in Moses Lake, the first U.S. commercial plant making jet fuel from captured CO2 and renewable electricity, with Alaska Airlines set to fly the fuel. Grid Planning: The state is hiring a contractor to study how Washington could replace electricity from four lower Snake River dams while keeping the grid reliable. Data Centers & Power: Seattle’s pushback on new data centers continues as the city weighs moratorium impacts on natural resources and energy demand. Tech & Privacy: South Korea fined Seattle-based Coupang a record $409M over a breach affecting 33M+ customers, citing delayed detection and weak safeguards. Logistics Innovation: Alaska Air Cargo and Phox Health launched same-day, temperature-controlled prescription deliveries across central and eastern Washington. World Cup Local Impact: Seattle is preparing for FIFA crowds with transit and airport upgrades, while host-city businesses gear up for visitor demand.

Rent Relief Debate: Washington’s 2025 rent increase cap (7% plus inflation, or 10% whichever is lower) is helping some renters, but critics warn it could squeeze small landlords and slow affordable construction. World Cup Economics in B.C.: British Columbia is defending its host-city spending and projected visitor boost, while critics question the assumptions and demand more transparency on security costs. EV School Bus Push: Eastern Washington districts are adding electric school buses, but rural charging and upfront costs keep diesel in the mix for years. Seattle Tech & IP Fight: Seattle’s MiiR sues Tesla over alleged copying of a tumbler lid design and branding layout. Data Center Backlash: Seattle’s one-year moratorium on new AI data centers is moving forward as residents and officials push back on power, water, and community impacts. Construction Safety: Clark County and partners are urging drivers to treat summer work zones as deadly, citing high fatal-crash risk during the season. Workers’ Comp Scam Warning: WA AG warns Spanish-speakers about fake government messages demanding payment for workers’ comp help. Hydropower Modernization: Tetra Tech was selected to lead design work for spillway upgrades at Rock Island and Rocky Reach dams on the Columbia River. College Sports Pay Bill: Sen. Maria Cantwell and Sen. Ted Cruz promote a bipartisan college athlete compensation framework, arguing it’s the best path forward amid opposition.

Energy & Power: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new coal units, using Defense Production Act authorities, a move that renews the debate over subsidies versus grid reliability. Refrigerants Compliance: A new EPA leak-repair rule drops the HFC threshold to 15 pounds, expanding federal oversight for many commercial refrigeration systems and forcing faster leak repair timelines. Tech & Data Centers: Seattle passed a one-year moratorium on large data centers, while Amazon signed a multi-billion Corning optical-fiber deal to expand U.S. fiber production for AI infrastructure. Healthcare Policy: A federal judge rejected a challenge to Washington’s hospital drug-pricing law tied to the 340B program, and a separate case targets a hospital’s COVID vaccine mandate over alleged religious and medical discrimination. Washington Infrastructure: Tetra Tech was selected as lead design engineer for Chelan County PUD dam spillway upgrades on the Columbia River. Ag Exports: The Washington Blueberry Commission held trade seminars in Thailand and Indonesia to deepen Southeast Asia demand. Local Economy & Hospitality: Seattle’s “Soccer House” watch parties at Pacific Place are gearing up for World Cup crowds.

Work Zone Safety: Spokane-area crews will be the first in Eastern Washington to use WSDOT/Washington State Patrol speed cameras on I-90 work zones, with enforcement starting in June and fines kicking in July 1 ($125 for first-time, $248 for repeat). Energy Policy: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and two new plants, using Defense Production Act authorities—drawing criticism from renewable advocates. Housing & Services: Seattle’s homelessness and drug policies are blamed for a “culture of death and disorder,” as multiple recent deaths in encampments highlight ongoing public health and safety gaps. Agriculture & Environment: Washington’s annual invasive pest survey is underway, with extra focus on spongy (gypsy) moths after interceptions near ports. Wine Industry: A West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force summit discussed wildfire smoke protection for winegrapes, including spray barriers and timing research. Retail Fuel Demand: Costco’s Issaquah-area club says gas sales hit record levels as members chase lower prices amid Strait of Hormuz-related fuel pressure. Business Expansion: Bellevue-based Interactive Gates & Security expanded its HOA and commercial gate division across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, adding 24/7 dispatch support.

AI in the Workplace: A new report says companies are pouring money into AI tools while skimping on training—93% of budgets go to the tech, not the people who have to use it. Logistics & Jobs: Seattle-area logistics giant Expeditors ended its long-standing no-layoff stance for tech roles, cutting about 230 workers across the region. Construction Safety: Washington DOT and State Patrol expanded work-zone speed cameras; enforcement on I-90 begins as first-time violations move from warnings to $125 fines. State Budget Pressure: Washington agencies were told to prepare for major 2027–29 shortfalls, pausing new expansions and focusing on core services. Food & Agriculture Exports: The Washington Blueberry Commission ran trade seminars in Thailand and Indonesia to boost Southeast Asia demand. World Cup Turf & Security: FIFA is relying on Michigan State turf research for consistent stadium grass, while Seattle ramps up safety planning for the tournament. Telecom Reliability: CenturyLink faced scrutiny after a copper-theft outage delayed reporting.

Manufacturing Expansion: Janicki Industries, a Washington-based engineering and manufacturing firm, picked Great Falls, Montana for an $800M facility, targeting 1,000 jobs in five years and 2,000-plus after buildout. Local Infrastructure: Seattle Public Utilities says Fauntleroy Creek culvert work will enter “early work” late June, with major 45th Ave SW impacts starting in early 2027 through 2028 to improve fish passage and reduce failure risk. Bridge Repairs: WSDOT begins prep for US 12/SR 124 interchange bridge repairs near Burbank, shifting eastbound US 12 to a temporary crossover June 15 and aiming to finish by late August. Energy & Industry Policy: A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down a Trump plan for a $100,000 H-1B visa fee for highly skilled workers as an unlawful tax, a move with major implications for Washington’s tech and engineering hiring. Consumer & Food: Costco asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit over its $5 rotisserie chicken, arguing the challenged additives aren’t “preservatives” under FDA rules. Water & Fisheries: Cle Elum Lake’s new “helix” fish passage system is helping sockeye bypass a century-old dam as Yakima basin partners push broader water and salmon recovery. Film/Production: HBO’s “The Last of Us” Season 3 isn’t canceled; Vancouver filming is on a planned June 1–28 hiatus tied to World Cup logistics.

Data Centers & Power Demand: AWS is planning a major data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7B investment and a $1.25B payment aimed at offsetting added electricity costs—another sign utilities and regulators are bracing for the next wave of load growth. Seafood Supply Chain: Captain D’s is switching several signature battered fish items to Alaskan pollock via partners Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish Processing, citing customer demand for U.S.-sourced, wild-caught seafood. World Cup Waterfront & Local Industry: Seattle’s Sounders and Reign are hosting matches and fan events from a pierside barge with a mini pitch—built through the RAVE Foundation to expand youth soccer access across Washington. Budget Pressure in Olympia: The Office of Financial Management warns agencies to expect significant 2027-29 operating and transportation shortfalls, urging a break from “business as usual.” Environmental Risk Watch: Federal records point to leaking, highly corrosive chemicals at a second Washington pulp mill (Cosmo Specialty Fibers) near Aberdeen, raising concerns after the Longview disaster. Food Assistance: Washington’s SUN Bucks summer program will deliver $120 per eligible child to up to 577,000 kids statewide.

Data Centers & Power Demand: Amazon is planning a major AWS data center campus in Wheatfield, Indiana, with an estimated $7B investment and a $1.25B payment aimed at offsetting added electricity costs—another reminder that power planning is now a core part of tech expansion. Cybersecurity Startup: Seattle’s Emphere raised $2.1M to automate software vulnerability remediation, targeting the backlog of fixes that slows teams down. Transit & Equity: Sound Transit is recruiting diverse community members for its Diversity Oversight Committee to shape economic and workforce development tied to rail projects. Washington Cannabis: The state’s legal cannabis market is still wrestling with federal rescheduling uncertainty, consolidation pressure, and ongoing oversupply. Public Safety & Sports Logistics: As the 2026 World Cup ramps up, Seattle-area planning highlights transit boosts and downtown pedestrian changes for match days. Community Development: Vancouver, Wash. celebrated the long-awaited Curtin Creek Community Park opening, adding lighted sports fields, inclusive play, and trails.

Energy & Industry: Washington’s legal cannabis market is under pressure as federal policy shifts and oversupply squeeze prices, while regulators try to preserve the state’s small-business model and crack down on illicit sales. Environment & Forestry: Environmental groups sued to block nearly 400 acres of logging in Washington’s Elwha Watershed, arguing the state failed to properly assess harm to drinking-water sources and mature forest habitat. Clean Power Infrastructure: A proposed 45-acre battery facility near Snoqualmie is drawing major backlash, with residents worried about fire risk and King County officials weighing whether a new moratorium applies. AI Power Demand: Data centers are driving a surge in electricity use, and utilities and tech firms are pushing for more reliable power, including renewed interest in nuclear. Defense Tech & Jobs: Anduril is expanding in Seattle and Bellevue, hiring for its “connected warfare” work tied to autonomous defense systems. Transportation & Construction: WSDOT issued an emergency closure of a Kirkland I-405 pedestrian bridge after damage was found, rerouting walkers and cyclists. Local Economy: A Firestone commercial shot in downtown Walla Walla brought in crews and hotel nights, boosting local spending.

Food & Retail Trade: Seattle’s Indian Consulate and CGI Seattle turned “Mango Magic” into a Washington shopping moment, with nearly 100 importers and Costco executives sampling seven premium mango varieties and touting fast-growing demand for fruit from India. Housing & Planning: A “Putting the Public Back in Housing” discussion highlights how social-housing financing and governance models are colliding with existing affordability tools, raising the stakes for Washington-style housing delivery. Energy & Industry: New reporting says Northwest utilities are leaning more on gas to serve data-center demand, putting Washington and Oregon emission goals at risk as climate rules meet reliability needs. Public Works & Transit: Sound Transit’s World Cup-fueled schedule pressure is back in focus, with board decisions on rail alignment and fare-gate pilots feeding the region’s long-running cost-and-timing debate. Environment & Science: The Ocean Observatories Initiative faces a major cutback, with plans to remove hundreds of deep-sea instruments—an ocean-data hit with ripple effects for Washington-area research. Local Economy: Washington state officials are investigating the Longview paper mill disaster as recovery continues and chemical-safety funding questions move to the forefront.

Defense & Shipbuilding: The Navy is finalizing an environmental review that could modernize Naval Base Kitsap for up to eight Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, with facility work starting next year and finishing in 2032. Industrial Safety: Washington Ecology released new video from inside the Longview Nippon Dynawave plant after the white liquor tank implosion that killed 11, as investigators look at safety violations. Energy & Infrastructure: A new traffic-and-revenue study says Interstate Bridge tolling can still hit the $1.5B target despite an early traffic drop, with toll rates likely set in late 2027. Tech & Telecom: T-Mobile is leaning on AI to manage connectivity during major summer events, including the World Cup, while expanding capacity across host cities. Agriculture & Trade: Washington’s consulate-backed “Mango Magic” event in Seattle drew major U.S. retailers like Costco to sample Indian mango varieties, signaling continued growth in fresh produce imports. Consumer & Retail Law: Nutricia sued in Washington state to identify unauthorized Amazon resellers tied to its infant nutrition products.

Data Centers & Energy Demand: Reports say Northwest utilities are increasingly turning to gas—via new infrastructure, generator permits, and out-of-state purchases—to keep up with data center growth, raising concerns Washington and Oregon could miss emissions targets. Local Governance: Seattle is weighing a one-year moratorium on large data centers while Amazon engineers push back at a City Council hearing, arguing Big Tech is pouring money into data centers as it cuts jobs. Industrial Safety: Washington’s Warm Springs Tribal Chairman Dennis White III issued condolences after the Longview Nippon Dynawave “white liquor” spill and urged protection of the Columbia River. Infrastructure & Construction: The Hansen Road I-90 overpass in Moses Lake is set for demolition in early July, with a new overpass to follow. Manufacturing & Jobs: Janicki Industries plans an $800M Great Falls, Montana campus, targeting 1,000 jobs in five years and 2,000+ long term. Convenience Retail: Maverik’s new CFO and other leadership moves highlight continued churn in the convenience-store sector.

World Cup Security Tech: Seattle and other host cities are bracing for drone threats, with companies like Fortem and Ondas pitching radar-and-interceptor systems to protect packed stadiums. Local Sports & Tourism: Seattle is leaning into FIFA fever with a Space Needle “giant soccer ball” makeover, Pioneer Square revamps, and stadium-area CCTV camera debates as the event nears. Data Centers vs. City Hall: A downtown Seattle data center plan is moving forward even as the city weighs a moratorium, while residents push back over power, water, and neighborhood impacts. Industrial Safety Shock: Longview’s Nippon Dynawave paper mill disaster is still rippling through the region, with lawmakers pressing for answers and workers facing months of uncertainty. Energy Policy: President Trump announced nearly $700M to prop up coal plants and exports, aiming to extend plant life and spur jobs across coal, construction, rail, and maritime. Business & Jobs: Servatron plans to close a Spokane Valley site, laying off 124 workers, while Keel Infrastructure priced upsized $400M convertible notes. Workplace Fraud Alert: Washington AG warns of a workers’ comp scam targeting Spanish-speaking injured workers across the Pacific Northwest.

Energy & Industry Policy: President Trump announced nearly $700M for coal plants and a new Oakland export terminal, using the Defense Production Act to extend plant life and boost grid reliability. Data Centers & Power Demand: Northwest utilities are increasingly turning to gas to serve fast-growing data center loads, raising concerns about missing Washington and Oregon emissions targets. Local Infrastructure: WSDOT says US-195 repaving flagging delays may run weekdays through mid-July, with some work-zone slowdowns extending to about 7:00 a.m. Tech & Automation: Amazon rolled out a next-gen Proteus robot that can follow natural-language commands and expanded European deployments of its robotics systems. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock Safety’s license-camera business faces growing privacy pushback and new state laws aimed at limiting alleged misuse. Consumer & Workforce: Washington AG warned of a Spanish-language workers’ compensation scam targeting injured workers with fake hearings and payment demands. Transit Planning: Sound Transit’s ST3 momentum continues as it studies fair-gate pilots at 14 stations. Housing Market: Redfin reports sellers pulling listings at near-pandemic pace, with Seattle among the cities seeing notable delistings. Aviation Loyalty: Alaska Airlines will stop Mileage Plan miles and elite credit on most basic-economy tickets starting this summer.