Wind development remains a controversial issue in our community. We want our customers to have the latest information being shared by Benton PUD. On Friday, January 27, Benton PUD Commissioners issued two papers intended to raise continued concerns about resource adequacy and wind development in our state. 

Wind Power and Clean Energy Policy Perspectives: Washington Wind Farms Rated Lowest for Effective Capacity in Winter (January 27, 2023)

Wind Power and Clean Energy Policy Perspectives: Governor Inslee’s Words Undermine State Energy Strategy & EFSEC Process (January 27, 2023) 
 
Background
In the summer of 2020, Benton PUD commissioners approved Wind Power and Clean Energy Policy Perspectives, the first report released and adopted in response to Resolution 2523, which was adopted by the commission in November 2019, in support of ensuring electric sector resource adequacy in the Pacific Northwest. The report provides Benton PUD’s perspective on why we do not support further wind power development in the Northwest.  

Benton PUD commissioners believe the best long-term, sustainable, and environmentally responsible strategy to meet the state clean energy goals is to keep existing hydropower in place and move from coal power to natural gas and natural gas to nuclear.

We encourage you to read the reports to gain a better understanding of our commission’s perspective on wind power in the Northwest. 

More Wind Power and Clean Energy Policy Perspectives can be found here.