Under the clean electricity law, PSE and every other utility may use gas-fired generation for up to 20% of its customers' needs until 2045. Starting in 2045 the standard is 100% clean (meaning renewable or nuclear or any other technology that does not emit GHGs in generation).
The data center bill was mostly about ratepayer protection, and the truth is we already have the tools and the people to protect ratepayers. These are the utility regulators and the elected boards of our consumer owned utilities.
As previously reported, the Washington state data center bill did not make it this year. But an even more important bill is awaiting the governor's signature: SB 5982. It closes loopholes in the clean electricity law that projects could have used to use fossil fuels instead of clean electricity.
What's with the oral roll calls? Is the machine broken?
This bill passed the state House yesterday, albeit with some trimming to get it past the Microsoft/Amazon lobby. It's still a good bill implementing the recommendations of our data center workgroup. Also need to pass 2245/5982, to make sure large new loads comply with the 100% clean electricity law.
I'm grateful to @cleanenergystates.bsky.social for this award. The CESA member states are working hard in the face of tremendous negative force from the federal government. There are lots of clean energy champions among these states.
This should be Governor Ferguson's top priority for energy legislation in 2026.
This is a fabricated emergency. How do we know? Washington state convened a winter readiness meeting last month and no utility called for continued operation of the coal plant.
It's unfortunate for TransAlta that they will incur standby costs. They've carefully planned for 15 years for retirement.
Olympia WA
Or as the lieutenant governor would say, that bill is a hot mess
VICTORY!!!! BIAW and Brian Heywood's Initiative 2066, aiming to lock us into a future with methane gas, is being ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL in a verbal ruling in King County Superior Court! #waleg #waelex
@cetransition.bsky.social has adeptly summarized the recent work in Washington state to explore the obstacles and opportunities for development of clean energy resources in rural areas.
www.cleanenergytransition.org/post/insight...
The second part of TVW's documentary on clean energy in the state of Washington
tvw.org/video/washin...
PNW states have been working for years to get Bonneville Power Administration to staff up the transmission planning function to get us access to power. DOE laid off five new employees this week. None funded by taxpayers. Stupid and senseless.
@tnorris.bsky.social Thanks for the work on flexible loads for data centers. It's great to see the analysis of potential to avoid capacity (MW) additions. But I wondered about the energy (MWh) requirements of the added load. Is this load met with greater dispatch of existing thermal resources?
Crazy that the Musketeers would shut down faith-based community service organizations serving America.
Washington State's Climate Commitment Act, which easily survived a ballot initiative challenge last year, and its complementary Clean Energy Transformation Act
Clean energy in Washington state. I could have said about transmission, but that would have reduced the time for dam debates
Washington State has a great energy performance standard for existing commercial buildings. How can the state make it even better? deptofcommerce.box.com/s/p77kyksns5...
Reducing the burden of energy costs for low-income households is a key part of the package for Washington's clean energy transition. How would a people-first statewide bill assistance program work? deptofcommerce.box.com/s/vhf2iw5302...
Third: deptofcommerce.box.com/shared/stati...
Washington State needs to site, build, and interconnect lots of new clean energy facilities. We've got three new reports to help policy makers understand the problems and sure through the solutions. First: deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/j8g02vl2lm...
I would encourage everyone to take a close look at the election results in Washington state. The vote was overwhelming to retain the cap and invest program. It got more votes than VP Harris and more votes than any of the winning statewide elected officials.
