Clean Energy Blog
Stay up to date on the latest news related to clean energy in our region and beyond.
Complicating the Northwest Energy Landscape
High-voltage wire tower at dusk A recent article by Mike Rogoway at OregonLive, shared by The Chronicle, describes the Northwest's soaring energy demand and supply constraints as a "9-gigawatt problem" that could spark a new power crisis. In the years following the...
Kenworth Introduces New Battery-Electric Medium-Duty Trucks
Source: Kenworth Kenworth has introduced three new battery-electric medium-duty trucks: the T280E, T380E and T480E. All three are available for order now and bring a new level of technology, efficiency, and driver comfort to zero emission transportation. The platform...
More Coal Units to Stay Online Under Emergency Authority
TransAlta photo. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a series of emergency orders last month requiring four coal-fired power plants in the Midwest and Western United States to remain operational beyond their planned retirement dates, citing near-term...
Washington State Department of Commerce Supports Tribal Clean Energy
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Photo The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, located on Swinomish Channel along the Puget Sound in Skagit County, partnered with the Washington State Department of Commerce to take major steps toward their clean energy goals. Like...
Curious About Learning a Trade? Check Out Top Estimates for 2026
According to a recent article from Learn a Skilled Trade, the skilled trades are experiencing unprecedented growth in 2026, with over 450,000 new positions expected across key industries. Whether you’re seeking job stability, high earning potential, or a career you...
New Seattle-Area Startup Providing a Hydrogen Energy Storage Solution
The Hyviva team alongside one of their energy storage units, from left: co-founders Sanja and Chris Muench; Mark Edin, vice president of engineering; COO John Traynor; and Paul Owen, chief marketing officer. (GeekWire Photo / Lisa Stiffler) GeekWire recently...
TransAlta Signs New Agreement, Coal to Natural Gas Conversion
TransAlta photo. In an announcement earlier this week, TransAlta Corporation signed a long-term agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to convert its Centralia Unit 2 facility from coal to natural gas-fired generation. The agreement will provide a fixed-price payment...
Idaho Falls Power Celebrates New Peaking Plant and 125 Years of Service
Caterpillar (CAT®) generators, Idaho Falls Power photo Last week, Idaho Falls Power celebrated the formal launch of its new natural gas peaking generation plant. This represents a major milestone in the community-owned utility's 125-year legacy of reliable, affordable...
TerraPower Gets Green Light on Final Safety Review to Build New Reactor
A mockup of a fuel bundle for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor. (TerraPower Photo) Nuclear power company TerraPower has passed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff’s final safety evaluation for a permit to build a reactor in Wyoming. The Washington-based company backed...
Department of Energy Renames NREL ‘National Laboratory of the Rockies’
Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL 80159 According to the news release from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been renamed the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), with the new name reflects the laboratory's expanding...