Powering a Sustainable Future

Columbia REA & the Path to Carbon-Free Energy with Small Modular Reactors

With the recent surge in power demand in our region and our desire to provide sustainable energy for our members, it is critical that sources of carbon-free, reliable, and responsible power be developed.

Recognizing some of these challenges, Columbia REA is proud to be part of the solution in the clean energy transformation.

In 2019, Washington state implemented the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

In fall 2022, to help meet the state’s energy goals and the power demand of our members, Columbia REA, Energy Northwest, and 16 other utilities in the region kicked off a series of discussions and investments to help meet the climate goals of the state, contributing nearly $1 million toward the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

Notably, on Oct. 16, 2024, Energy Northwest announced its partnership with Amazon and X-energy to begin the feasibility phase of a small modular reactor project near Columbia Generating Station in Richland, Washington. Amazon’s funding will support two years of thorough and robust environmental, safety, permitting, licensing, and risk analyses leading up to a request for formal approval of the project from Energy Northwest members, including Columbia REA. If approved, Energy Northwest would then apply for a construction permit.

The first project would be 320 megawatts (MW). Energy Northwest will have the option to expand the project with another 640 MW for a total capacity of up to 960 MW. This additional power will be available to Amazon and Northwest power utilities to power homes and businesses. This funding will help move the region well down the road toward deploying 1 of the first advanced nuclear generation plants in the country.

Columbia REA, which is a longtime customer of Energy Northwest, is committed to providing clean energy resources for our members that are capable of meeting the clean energy challenges of the future and helping Washington State meet its climate and carbon reduction goals.

Our contribution to this project was a first step in achieving that goal.

We applaud this collaboration between Amazon and Energy Northwest as it demonstrates how public-private partnerships can accelerate progress through a shared vision and also paves the way for public power entities to develop and build future SMRs to help meet the region’s growing energy demands.