Nuclear power is a key piece of Washington’s clean energy future | Opinion

Washington state is facing a big challenge when it comes to electricity. Electricity demand is surging due to electric vehicles, and more data-intensive industries coming online, like the $5 billion data center planned for Walla Walla County. 

Recent reports about transmission constraints near the Tri-Cities have also highlighted how the electric grid is being asked to do more as the region grows. At the same time, the state has set ambitious decarbonization goals that will influence the way electricity can be generated. Even Washington’s world-famous hydropower system is being stretched.

With many challenges and new opportunities mounting, it’s becoming clearer every day that public policies should acknowledge nuclear energy as essential to addressing our need for readily available, reliable and safe new sources of energy. 

Congress recently took an important step in this direction by preserving nuclear energy tax credits as a tool that should be available for growing our country’s nuclear infrastructure. Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington’s 4th Congressional District was instrumental in bringing attention to this important policy during the legislative process.

Fortunately, some exciting developments are demonstrating that Washington is committed to building up its strong nuclear energy foundation.

Nuclear energy plays a major role in Washington’s energy mix, with the Columbia Generating Station supplying 10% of in-state electricity. This plant has proven that nuclear facilities can safely provide clean, around-the-clock energy while supporting high-skilled jobs and strengthening regional economic stability. 

Recently, Columbia received funding approval for an improvement project that will increase the plant’s output by enough to power 125,000 additional homes.

Meanwhile, plans are forming to build new next-generation advanced nuclear facilities. In October 2024, Energy Northwest and X-energy announced partnerships with Amazon to build a proposed small modular reactor (SMR) project near Richland, Washington. The first phase of the project would add nearly 320 megawatts of carbon-free, 24/7 power to the region’s energy grid. The Richland SMR project is considered a fast follower to another X-energy SMR project with Dow Chemical in Seadrift, Texas, which is considered a first-of-a-kind project.

As Congress’s work has recently demonstrated, it will be important to remember that the development of cutting-edge technologies like those that will be used in new nuclear projects doesn’t happen in the absence of smart public policy. 

There is no denying that new technologies can be expensive, but the same technologies will reap long-term benefits for our nation’s prosperity and security. Investment and production tax credits, for example, provide support to bring more nuclear energy to Americans through early-of-a-kind projects and the ability to scale up that will follow. 

Programs like Department of Energy cost-shared funding also boost initial domestic deployment of SMR projects. Thoughtful policies can foster investments in new nuclear facilities, expand capacity and hold down costs. In states like Washington, that means more jobs, stronger infrastructure and stable power prices.

As we move forward, embracing nuclear energy is not just about meeting today’s energy demands; it’s about securing a sustainable and prosperous future. By investing in nuclear power, we can ensure a reliable, clean, and economically beneficial energy source that supports growth and environmental goals across the U.S. As we look ahead, it’s crucial to support policies that foster innovation and investment in nuclear technology, paving the way for a brighter and more resilient energy future for all.

This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.