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

Recognizing some of these challenges, Okanogan PUD 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 customers,
Okanogan PUD, 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 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 of formal
approval of the project from Energy Northwest members including Okanogan PUD. 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 one of the first advanced nuclear
generation plants in the country.

Okanogan PUD, which is a longtime member of Energy Northwest, is committed to providing clean
energy resources for our customers 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 paves the way for
public power entities to develop and build future SMRs to help meet the region’s growing energy
demands.