Washington recently took one step closer to its 100 percent renewable energy target by 2045 with the endorsement of the Goldendale Energy Storage Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This pumped-storage hydropower project in the Columbia River Gorge could store renewable energy for on-demand use. Why is this so critical?
As executive director of the Community Renewable Energy Association, I work with cities, counties, nonprofits and companies looking to expand renewable energy generation, and it’s become clear that we must plan for how to manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy. Energy storage is essential for ensuring people can use energy when they need it — including during extended periods when the sun is not shining and when the wind isn’t blowing.
With tens of thousands of megawatts of renewable energy slated to come online in the Pacific Northwest over the next decade, we have no time to waste in building storage capacity. Additionally, the Goldendale Project would create family-wage jobs, support small businesses and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These are critical components of a clean-energy future for our region and deserve our support.
