Saturday,  February 8 , 2025

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Northwest

New WA board needed to ‘build trust’ in nuclear as electric demand grows, says lawmaker

Report: 82% of Washington residents believe that nuclear energy is important for meeting the state’s energy needs

By Annette Cary, The News Tribune, Tacoma
Published: January 20, 2025, 10:48am

Without nuclear energy there is no credible path to a carbon-free or thriving economy in Washington, according to a Tri-Cities state legislator.

Rep Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, is back with another bill to champion nuclear energy, after successes in her first two years in office.

This legislative session, Barnard is pushing for a state commission to build public confidence in nuclear energy by providing information about safety and reliability.

Last year, Barnard played a key role in getting the first significant investment in nuclear energy generation by the Washington Legislature in more than a decade.

The capital budget included $25 million for Energy Northwest to continue its new nuclear development efforts.

A year earlier she co-founded the Nuclear Energy Caucus to share expertise, research and insights on nuclear energy to advance its adoption as part of Washington’s energy strategy.

This year, she has introduced House Bill 1249 to create an advisory commission — referred to in the bill as “the commercial liftoff for energy from advanced nuclear advisory commission” — to support the growth of nuclear energy.

It would develop policy recommendations, plan for new facilities, create a skilled workforce and engage with the public on nuclear energy topics.

“This commission is not just about leadership,” Barnard said in a statement. “It’s about building trust.”

State residents need confidence in the safety and reliability of nuclear technology, she said.

A Bisconti Research report commissioned by Energy Northwest concluded that 82% of Washington residents believe that nuclear energy is important for meeting the state’s energy needs.

That growing support for nuclear energy underscores the importance of establishing a trusted source of information on nuclear energy, according to Washington House Republican staff.

Washington energy needs

Washington requires that electricity provided for homes and businesses must be from non-arbon emitting or renewable resources by 2045.

But the requirement looms as demand for electricity is growing, including for large data centers already operating or planned for cloud computing, the escalating use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

Data centers use large amounts of power and they require uninterrupted, reliable power.

McKinsey & Company predicts that global demand for data center capacity could rise at an annual rate of up to 22% from 2023 to 2030 to reach an annual demand of 171 to 219 gigawatts worldwide.

“Nuclear energy provides the consistent, low-carbon power supply that data centers need,” Barnard said. “As we build the clean energy future, we must ensure that industries critical to our state’s economic growth, such as technology and data centers, have access to secure and sustainable energy sources.”

Nuclear power not only can provide large amounts of electricity around the clock, but it also offers high-paying jobs and regional economic benefits, says HB 1249.

Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station near Richland is the Northwest’s only commercial nuclear power plant. It began operating in 1984 and produces about 10% of the electricity used in the state.

Energy Northwest now owns and operates the only commercial nuclear power plant in the Northwest, the Columbia Generating Station near Richland. It has a total generating capacity of up to 1,207 megawatts, or enough electricity to power about 1 million homes.

In October, online retailing giant Amazon signed an agreement with Energy Northwest to pay for the initial feasibility phase to also develop an X-energy advanced small nuclear reactor project near the Columbia Generating Station.

Energy Northwest and X-energy have planned for a modular nuclear reactor project since 2020. With the new financial support from Amazon, it could have the first modules operating by 2031 or 2032, by Energy Northwest estimates.

Stay informed on what is happening in Clark County, WA and beyond for only
$99/year

Amazon will have the right to buy electricity from the initial four modules proposed, which would generate 320 megawatts of energy capacity. Energy Northwest has the option to further build out the site by adding up to eight additional modules for a total generating capacity of up to 960 megawatts.

Grant PUD also is exploring the possibility of operating small nuclear reactors.

The new commission proposed by Barnard would have 13 members representing academia, industry, government and tribes.

Its first recommendations would be due Oct. 1, 2026, with updates to follow.

Loading...