Rather than converting farmland to solar facilities, we could build solar arrays and continue growing crops and raising livestock beneath the gentle shade of the panels. This approach is called “agrivoltaics,” and it could be one way to ease competition between the agriculture and solar energy sectors.
There are many examples illustrating how businesses of all sizes are pillars of their communities. Unfortunately, there are forces undermining those pillars.
As a state joint operating agency, we are uniquely positioned to address the regional challenges ahead. We are responding to what our public power members and the region are asking for: greater coordination and more carbon-free power.
Washington state’s new requirement for farms to post public notice of routine seasonal layoffs is more than an added nuisance for farmers. It’s yet another threat to the survival of already-struggling farms.
As the United States works to rebuild its manufacturing base, a growing crisis in critical minerals and metals threatens national security and economic independence.
The demand for electricity in Washington is expected to grow four times faster than historical rates in the coming years, driven by a combination of growing population, electric vehicle adoption and data center growth. To meet this demand, Washington must double power plant capacity by 2045.
