By Mark Rohde / Herald Forum
Washington state has rightfully earned a reputation for its commitment to environmental protection and its proactive stance on combating climate change.
We’ve embraced electric vehicles, electrified our homes and implemented robust environmental regulations. Our per capita carbon footprint is among the lowest in the nation. As Washingtonians, we cherish our natural environment and are dedicated to preserving its beauty.
Despite these efforts, a looming challenge threatens to undermine our progress: our aging electric power grid. Largely constructed in the 1960s, our grid is struggling to keep pace with the state’s growing population and energy demands. The situation is complicated by the geographic disparity between the location of new renewable power sources and the population centers where energy is most needed.
The vulnerabilities of our power grid pose a significant risk to our state’s future. This issue is exacerbated by the fragmentation among the many providers responsible for generating, transmitting and delivering electricity to homes and businesses. This lack of cohesion hinders effective coordination and impedes our ability to address grid modernization comprehensively.
While the eventual construction of additional transmission lines is inevitable, we can immediately enhance the capacity of our existing infrastructure by embracing a suite of solutions called Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET), equipment and software that increases the capacity, efficiency and reliability of electrical transmission. Proven effective in other regions in the U.S. and successfully integrated into Belgium’s electric grid since 2008, GET offers a readily available means to double the capacity of our existing lines.
The inexplicable delay in adopting this proven technology in Washington is a matter of concern. We urge our state and industry leaders to act with urgency and prioritize the implementation of GETs. By doing so, we can safeguard our state’s energy future, ensuring a reliable power grid that supports our continued progress toward a sustainable Washington.
Mark Rohde is co-chair of the Snohomish Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. He lives in Snohomish.
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