Gridlocked: Breaking Through Washington’s Clean Energy Bottlenecks
Quick update to everyone: we are meeting in Founders Hall Room 370
Washington State has some of the most ambitious climate and clean energy goals in the nation, yet even in the face of rising energy demand, it ranks 50th in renewable energy buildout. Since 2015, just one out of 469 projects seeking to connect to the Bonneville Power Administration grid – which accounts for 75% of the Pacific Northwest’s transmission system – has been approved. One key barrier to getting projects online is the insufficient transmission capacity available to interconnect new, clean resources.
In response, Washington passed Senate Bill 6355 to establish a statewide transmission authority – an entity designed to proactively plan, site, and finance critical transmission infrastructure. Modeled after efforts in states like New Mexico and Colorado, this new authority aims to break through long standing barriers by advancing high-priority projects, supporting developers, and modernizing the grid to meet future demand.
This panel will explore how a dedicated transmission authority could reshape Washington’s energy landscape. Speakers will examine the scale of the current backlog, the role of transmission in enabling reliable and affordable decarbonization, and what it will take to translate this legislative win into real-world infrastructure. The discussion will also situate Washington’s approach within broader regional and national efforts to build a more connected, resilient, and forward-looking grid.
Moderator:
- Eric Wesoff, Executive Director, Canary Media
Panelists:
· Senator Victoria Hunt, Washington State Senator (5th Legislative District)
· Shaun Foster, Director, Transmission, Puget Sound Energy
· Natalie Manitius, Manager, Clean Energy Infrastructure Deployment, Clean Air Task Force
· Casey McLean, Washington Senior Policy Manager, Renewable Northwest
Note: Space is limited. If turnout is high, we may need to turn people away at the door. Please cancel your registration if you can’t attend, and plan to arrive early to help ensure entry.