Clean Technology

Blessed with 50,000 miles of rivers and streams and a deep respect for nature and the environment, it shouldn’t be surprising that Washington State is leading the way in developing and adopting a clean, affordable and sustainable energy portfolio.

Washington’s ambitious and historic effort to become 100% reliant on non-carbon emitting energy by 2045 is the cornerstone of this effort. This initiative will require the industry to bring new ideas to market, including radically new ideas in energy production and storage technologies, grid management and alternative energy supplies such as solar, wind, hydrogen, biomass and tidal.

Washington produces 73% of its power from clean energy sources at the moment through its network of hydroelectric dams.

The state’s collaboration and cooperation culture connect clean energy innovators to a diverse range of new ideas, not only in clean technologies but also in software, hardware, cloud computing, smart homes, and advanced materials and transportation systems. This leadership has led the U.S. Department of Energy to set aside up to $1 billion to explore uses of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source for the future through the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub.

In-Depth

Washington State has been the epicenter of clean energy long before it was fashionable. Pioneers recognized the potential of the state’s rivers and streams, using them to power sawmills. The floodgates of mass power production opened in the mid 20th century as the Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams came online, bringing plentiful, cheap electricity to the West. By 2018, 69% of Washington’s power came from hydroelectric sources, with natural gas, nuclear, wind and biomass making up the rest of the state’s clean energy portfolio.

Washington’s new clean energy legislation requires greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and 95% by 2050. To meet this aggressive goal, the state will need to eliminate its reliance on fossil fuels by 2050.

These ambitious goals have served as guideposts for creating the 2021 State Energy Strategy, which identifies a comprehensive set of policies and actions to ensure competitive energy prices, foster a clean energy economy, and meet the state’s science-based greenhouse gas reduction limits.

This includes a need for near-term investment in electric power generation and transmission systems, electric heat pumps in homes and businesses, and a new generation of cars and trucks that don’t run on fossil fuels. Washington will also be working closely with border states to reduce emissions in the industrial sector. Broadband access is another strategy, taking vehicles off the road by allowing workers to work at home or remotely.

The strategy also assures that the transition to clean energy will be inclusive, ensuring that low-income customers have access to these new energy sources through programs, grants and other funding. Tax incentives encourage developers to engage in renewable energy development activities that pay workers a living wage.

Other highlights of the State Energy Strategy:

• By the end of 2025, utilities must end the use of all coal-fired electric generation systems from their portfolios.
• By 2030, utilities must utilize an electric resource portfolio that is greenhouse gas neutral. To comply, at least 80% of electricity must be from renewable sources or non-emitting power. Other emission reductions must offset any use of natural gas to produce electricity.
• By 2045, utilities must use 100% renewable or nuclear resources to serve Washington customers, with no provision for offsets.