Washington Looks for Lessons on Building Clean Energy Infrastructure

A new KNKX/NPR story highlights a growing problem for Washington’s clean energy future: while states like California and Texas are rapidly deploying battery storage, solar, and other energy infrastructure, Washington continues to face major delays.

Earlier this month, Clean & Prosperous — a member of the Keep the Lights On! Washington coalition — organized their annual study mission to Texas for Washington business, policy, and energy leaders to better understand how the state has accelerated clean energy and grid reliability investments like battery storage and become a leader nationwide.

The visit came as Washington continues to rank at the bottom nationally in renewable energy growth, despite ambitious climate goals and rising electricity demand.

State Rep. Beth Doglio, chair of the House Environment & Energy Committee, called the trip “eye opening” and pointed to how quickly projects are completed in Texas compared to Washington. Doglio said her main takeaway is that Washington needs to simplify its permitting processes.

She said too many clean energy projects here are stopped by people who don’t want them in their own backyards. “We have to stop dragging our heels.”

The lesson from Texas is not that Washington should abandon environmental protections or public input. It’s that ambitious clean energy goals require the ability to actually build the infrastructure needed to modernize the grid. It’s time for Washington to put our skilled laborers to work building projects like Cascadia Ridge, or risk becoming a state of hollow goals and continued inaction.