Where Do the Tri-Cities Get Their Electricity?

How often do you consider where your electricity comes from in the Tri-Cities? We’re well-known as an energy powerhouse, with a strong wind turbine program and the famous Hanford nuclear plant — but the vast majority of our electricity comes from a different source.

The Grand Coulee Dam, located on the Columbia River, generates over 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That’s enough energy to power approximately 2 million homes per year. Most of the Tri-Cities’ electricity comes from the dam, which also helps power seven other western states. Hydroelectric produces almost 6,000 megawatt-hours of electricity for Washington, while the runner-up natural gas supplies just over 1,000 megawatt-hours.

Leading the Way in Clean Energy

The Tri-Cities has a thriving clean energy industry, which is only expected to grow as the state moves to meet its ambitious energy goals. More than 5,000 residents in the Tri-Cities are already employed in energy-related fields, around 90% of wind generation in Washington and Oregon happens within 125 miles, and 40% of the state’s total power is produced in a 100-mile radius.

Governor Jay Inslee recently visited the Tri-Cities to sign multiple bills designed to facilitate meeting the goal of generating 100% clean energy by 2045.

• House Bill 1216: Requires environmental review, community and tribal input, and upfront planning for new clean energy projects.
• House Bill 1181: Requires local governments to take action on climate change, thereby integrating the issue into growth management.
• House Bill 1176: Establishes the Washington Climate Corps and directs the state to implement clean energy workforce planning.
• House Bill 1416: Clarifies that the 2019 clean electricity law applies to all electricity regardless of origin.
• House Bill 1236: Allows the production and use of green hydrogen for buses during the clean fuel transition.
• Senate Bill 5165: Improves transmission planning to facilitate the 100% clean energy transition.
• Senate Bill 5447: Incentivizes producing sustainable aviation fuel.

Each of these bills will affect how the Tri-Cities gets its electricity as 3,000 megawatts of coal-derived power is shut down by 2025, and another 4,000 megawatts or more are expected to be shut down by 2030.

Choose Campbell & Company Today

At Campbell & Company, we care about where Tri-Cities residents get their power, and we want to make sure your electrical systems are functioning properly. When you need quick, reliable service from licensed, insured, and highly experienced electricians, you can trust Campbell & Company for a job well done.

Call us today at 509-545-9848 to schedule quality electrical services in Yakima and the Tri-Cities area.