Our Reporting Showed Washington Ranks Last in Green Energy Growth. Now the State Is Working to Speed It Up.

ProPublicaCenter-LeftEN 8 min read 100% complete by Tony SchickJanuary 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM

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long article 8 min

Prompted by reports highlighting Washington's last-place ranking in green energy growth, the state is initiating efforts to accelerate renewable energy project construction. The Department of Commerce has offered assistance to the Bonneville Power Administration to process its backlog of projects. Several state agencies are recommending legislative incentives for utility upgrades, microgrid projects, and a new state agency to plan and fund transmission corridors. These agencies are also collaborating to address obstacles hindering over a dozen high-priority renewable energy projects. The urgency stems from comparisons showing other states have made greater progress. The goal is to modify policies and make strategic investments to improve Washington's renewable energy development.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Iowa 40% Northwest 50% Utilities and Transportation Commission 50% Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council 50% Department of Ecology 50% Washington Legislature 60% ProPublica ×370% Joe Nguyễn ×470% Oregon Public Broadcasting ×270% Washington Department of Commerce ×380% Bonneville Power Administration ×585% Washington ×790%

Keywords

renewable energy 100% green energy growth 90% transmission lines 70% energy projects 70% power grid 60% state energy policy 60% energy storage 50% utilities 50% carbon-free 40%