Archived News

December 29, 2025 at 5:21 p.m.

Energy Northwest Employees Continue 45-Year Tradition of Supporting Local Head Start

Energy Northwest employees partnered with Benton Franklin Head Start during the holiday season to provide gifts for more than 350 children in the Tri-Cities area.

October 23, 2025 at 4:55 p.m.

Energy Northwest Selects Design Builder for Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Washington State

One week after announcing the official name and concept renderings of the anticipated first-ever small modular reactor (SMR) project in Washington state, Energy Northwest is pleased to announce that it is in negotiations with Cascade Nuclear Partners (CNP).

October 16, 2025 at 6:03 p.m.

Energy Northwest Unveils Name, Concept Images for First-Ever Small Modular Reactor Project in the Pacific Northwest

Energy Northwest today unveiled the official name and new images of its proposed small modular reactor (SMR) facility in Washington state.

June 17, 2025 at 2:18 a.m.

Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station Reconnects With Power Grid Following Refueling

Columbia Generating Station successfully reconnected to the Northwest power grid on June 16 at 5:02 p.m., completing its biennial refueling outage.

June 5, 2025 at 8:54 a.m.

Energy Northwest Completes State Route 14 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Project

Energy Northwest has successfully completed the installation of a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along State Route 14 (SR-14), enhancing accessibility for EV drivers traveling through the Columbia River Gorge.

May 28, 2025 at 2:07 a.m.

Members, Officers Elected to Columbia Generating Station Review Board

Columbia Generating Station stakeholders, representing 92 utilities in 6 states, elected member utilities...

May 22, 2025 at 1:52 a.m.

Energy Northwest, BPA Advance Plan to Expand Region’s Nuclear Power

Energy Northwest and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) are taking a significant step toward strengthening the Pacific Northwest's supply of affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

May 7, 2025 at 1:48 a.m.

Energy Northwest Upgrades Connell & Dayton EV Charging Stations

​Energy Northwest recently upgraded electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Connell and Dayton sites.

April 12, 2025 at 8:15 a.m.

Spring Refueling Begins at Columbia Generating Station

Yesterday evening, Energy Northwest operators successfully disconnected Columbia Generating Station from the Northwest power grid, commencing its biennial spring refueling outage.

February 20, 2025 at 10:41 a.m.

Curio & Energy Northwest Announce Expanded Partnership To Enhance Nuclear Fuel Recycling

February 20, 2025 - Curio, an innovative leader in advanced nuclear technologies, is pleased to announce an expanded and strengthened partnership with Energy Northwest,...

February 5, 2025 at 10:36 a.m.

Board of Directors Elects New Executive Board Member, President, & Officers

The Energy Northwest Board of Directors elected a new inside director to the Executive Board, a new president and officers at their January 22nd public meeting in Olympia.

January 9, 2025 at 10:31 a.m.

Energy Northwest & EVCS To Boost Electric Vehicle Charging Along Highway 101

Energy Northwest is under contract with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and has partnered with EVCS, a leading electric vehicle (EV)...

December 12, 2024 at 10:16 a.m.

Energy Northwest Selects AtkinsRealis As Owner’s Engineer for SMR Development

Energy Northwest has selected AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. (TSX: ATRL), as the Owner's Engineer for its small modular reactor (SMR) project development in Washington state.

November 19, 2024 at 10:08 a.m.

Employees Raise $80,000 for United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties

​Energy Northwest employees have once again raised over $80,000 in support of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, continuing a long-standing commitment...

November 18, 2024 at 10:04 a.m.

Energy Northwest Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for New EV Charging Station Network

Energy Northwest held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 18 to celebrate a significant milestone in promoting sustainable transportation across Southeast Washington...

November 12, 2024 at 9:56 a.m.

Energy Northwest Named to Top Military Friendly Employers List for 10th Straight Year

Energy Northwest is proud to announce that it has been recognized as a Military Friendly Employer for the 10th consecutive year, earning the 2025 designation.

October 16, 2024 at 9:41 a.m.

Amazon & Energy Northwest Announce Plans To Develop Advanced Nuclear Technology in Washington

Amazon (Nasdaq; AMZN) and Energy Northwest, a public power agency leading in the development of next-generation nuclear technologies, today announced..

June 5, 2024 at 9:27 a.m.

Members, Officers Elected to Columbia Generating Station Review Board

Columbia Generating Station stakeholders, representing 92 utilities in 6 states, elected member utilities and individual officers to the nuclear power plant’s Participants Review Board during their public meeting on May 15 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

June 3, 2024 at 8:42 a.m.

Energy Northwest Completes US-12 Electric Vehicle Charging Project

Energy Northwest completed its White Pass US-12 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Installation Project last month.

May 28, 2024 at 8:46 a.m.

Energy Northwest Employees Give Back to Tri-Cities

​​​​Employees with Energy Northwest have been busy this spring serving the community throughout the Tri-Cities region in southeastern Washington.

May 8, 2024 at 8:38 a.m.

New EV Stations Coming to SR-14 Along Columbia Gorge

Energy Northwest is collaborating with the City of Bingen, City of Goldendale, and Port of Skamania County and FVRLibraries to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on State Route 14 (SR-14) along the scenic Columbia River Gorge.

May 1, 2024 at 4:42 a.m.

Board of Directors Elects Outside Director

The Energy Northwest Board of Directors unanimously approved Cowlitz County Public Utility District’s request to join Energy Northwest membership during its regular public meeting on April 24 in Pasco.

April 17, 2024 at 4:35 a.m.

Energy Northwest’s Safety Record Earns Multiple Awards

Energy Northwest was recognized by industry associations this month with multiple safety awards.

March 19, 2024 at 4:31 a.m.

Kids Engineering Day Brings STEM Fun to Benton City

​​On March 2, the halls of Kiona-Benton City Elementary School buzzed with excitement as nearly 200 kids and family members got hands-on with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities at the annual Kids Engineering Day event.

February 6, 2024 at 4:14 a.m.

EVCS & Energy Northwest To Receive $14,600,000 Through the Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program

The grant will help fund over 50 electric vehicle chargers in Washington and Oregon

January 10, 2024 at 4:10 a.m.

Next-Generation Nuclear Feasibility Gets a $10,000,000 Boost With PSE Investment

Energy Northwest today announced an agreement with Bellevue-based Puget Sound Energy to accelerate the agency's program examining the feasibility of developing and deploying a next-generation nuclear energy facility.

December 20, 2023 at 12:45 p.m.

Columbia Generating Station Commences 20-Year Extended Operation

December 21, 2023 marks an important moment in the history of Columbia Generating Station, the Pacific Northwest's 1,207 megawatt-electric nuclear power plant.

December 19, 2023 at 12:38 p.m.

Employees Illuminate the Holiday Season With Heartwarming Community Efforts

Members of Energy Northwest’s Women in Nuclear (WIN) chapter and Public Affairs team helped make the holidays bright for children in need this December.

December 6, 2023 at 12:29 p.m.

EN Receives AWB Veterans & Families Award

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) recognized Energy Northwest's dedication to providing employment opportunities for veterans with the Veterans and Families Award.

October 4, 2023 at 2:56 a.m.

Proud To Power, Proud To Serve Program Empowers Employees To Get Involved

​​​If there's anything good to say about the 2-plus years that COVID-19 ruled our world, it might be that it brought us things like grocery pickup and delivery, virtual meetings, and better hand washing.

July 24, 2023 at 2:51 a.m.

Employees Recognized for Lifesaving Actions

On April 26, Energy Northwest team members Steve Short, John Hagfeldt, and Bob Powell were working hard setting up a work trailer for Columbia Generating Station’s refueling outage.

July 19, 2023 at 1:03 a.m.

Energy Northwest & X-Energy Sign Joint Development Agreement

Energy Northwest, a premier provider of carbon-free electricity, and X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (“X-energy"),

July 13, 2023 at 12:58 a.m.

Energy Northwest Executive Board Officers Elected

The Energy Northwest Executive Board elected John Saven as its chair during their regular public meeting on June 22.

June 28, 2023 at 12:41 a.m.

New EV Charging Station Online in Grandview

Energy Northwest recently completed a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station located at the Grandview Museum at 115 West Wine Country Road in Grandview.

June 19, 2023 at 12:40 a.m.

Columbia Generating Station Refueled, Back on the Grid

A view of Columbia Generating Station’s reactor core from the refuel floor during the station’s spring refueling outage.

June 1, 2023 at 12:28 a.m.

EN Closes Chapter on Restoration, Opens a New One

​​​At Energy Northwest’s Industrial Development Complex (IDC), the end of an era is approaching.

May 31, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.

Members, Officers Elected to Columbia Generating Station Review Board

Columbia Generating Station stakeholders, representing 92 utilities in 6 states, elected member utilities and individual officers to the nuclear power plant’s Participants Review Board...

May 6, 2023 at 11:55 p.m.

Northwest Nuclear Plant Begins Spring Refueling

Yesterday evening, Energy Northwest operators disconnected Columbia Generating Station from the Northwest power grid, commencing its 26th refueling outage.

May 2, 2023 at 11:50 p.m.

Energy Northwest Receives First Place Safety Awards for 2022

Energy Northwest (EN) received 2 first-place safety awards for exceptional performance in 2022.

March 8, 2023 at 11:44 p.m.

Hands-On With STEM at Kids Engineering Day

Science got a little messy on March 4 as about 350 children got hands-on with wind power, rockets, and non-Newtonian fluid at the Energy Northwest Women in Nuclear (WIN) Kids Engineering Day event.

March 7, 2023 at 11:35 p.m.

Energy Northwest Breaks Ground on U.S. Route 12 Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Construction began yesterday on a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the White Pass Scenic Byway on U.S. Route 12.

March 1, 2023 at 5:45 p.m.

Energy Northwest Statement on X-Energy-Dow Announcement

Following a joint announcement ​this morning from X-energy and Dow on plans to deploy a Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at a Dow industrial facility in the U.S. Gulf Coast...

February 9, 2023 at 5:41 p.m.

Columbia Generating Station Produces Record Amount of Energy in 2022

In 2022, Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station produced enough electricity to power...

February 1, 2023 at 5:31 p.m.

Executive Board Chair, Officers, Director, & Board of Directors Officers Elected

The Energy Northwest Executive Board elected John Saven as its new chair during their regular public meeting on January 25 in Olympia.

January 11, 2023 at 5:26 p.m.

Energy Northwest Brings First EV Fast Charger to Walla Walla

Energy Northwest recently completed a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station located at the Columbia Rural Electric Association.

December 14, 2022 at 4:06 a.m.

EN Santas, Elves Bring Smiles to Tri-Cities Children

Cheerful cries of “Santa! Santa!”​​ echoed across the Tri-Cities on December 13 as jolly ol’ St. Nick and his elves arrived at Head Start classrooms,​ bringing toys and a little holiday magic.

November 16, 2022 at 4:01 a.m.

Energy Northwest Brings EV Station Online in Naches

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers traveling U.S. Highway 12 can stop for a quick boost at the new charging station in Naches, Washington.

November 8, 2022 at 3:57 a.m.

Board of Directors Elect Officers

The Energy Northwest Board of Directors elected officers at its public meeting on October 27 in Kennewick, Washington.

November 7, 2022 at 3:49 a.m.

Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers Coming to Methow Valley

Electric vehicle owners making the drive through the Methow Valley in the North Cascades region of Washington will soon have 3 more options for quickly charging their rides along state routes 20 and 153 and U.S. Highway 97.

November 2, 2022 at 3:46 a.m.

Leading the Charge Into a Clean Energy Future

​​The future of clean energy came into focus on October 27 during Energy Northwest's 25th annual Public Power Forum.

October 11, 2022 at 3:43 a.m.

CNO Hettel Receives Life-Saving Award at Governor’s L&I Conference

​Energy Northwest's Chief Nuclear Officer Grover Hettel was 1 of 17 individuals honored with a Lifesaving Award on September 28 at the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health ​Conference in Tacoma, Washington.

September 8, 2022 at 3:32 a.m.

Member Visits Highlight EN’s Role As JOA

Since stepping into the role of CEO a year ago, Bob Schuetz has reached out to Energy Northwest's member utilities with a focused message: Let's collaborate.

July 28, 2022 at 11:54 p.m.

Interns Find Career Path, Passion at EN

Each year, Energy Northwest hires between 5 and 10 interns — recent graduates or current college students who are interested in learning more about careers in clean energy.

July 6, 2022 at 10:03 a.m.

Curio & Energy Northwest Sign MOU As Used Nuclear Fuel Recycling Industry Partners

Curio today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Energy Northwest as an industry partner and potential off-taker of products produced through Curio’s NuCycle™ nuclear waste recycling process.

May 31, 2022 at 9:52 a.m.

Members, Officers Elected to Nuclear Energy Participant Board

Columbia Generating Station stakeholders, representing 92 utilities in 6 states, elected member utilities and individual officers to the nuclear power plant's participants review board during their public meeting last week in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

May 12, 2022 at 9:49 a.m.

CNO Recognized for Life-Saving Efforts

During Energy Northwest’s April 27 board meetings, members took a moment away from the traditional agenda to express gratitude that 1 of their own was still with them and say thank you to the man who likely saved his life.

April 28, 2022 at 9:42 a.m.

Inside & Outside Directors Elected to Executive Board

Energy Northwest's Board of Directors elected 5 inside directors and one outside director to the agency's 11-member executive board April 27, 2022 during its regularly scheduled meeting.

April 12, 2022 at 9:34 a.m.

Energy Northwest Leading the Charge With Network of New EV Charging Stations

Electric vehicle drivers in Washington will soon have 8 more options for charging their rides along U.S. Route 12.

March 30, 2022 at 9:26 a.m.

Energy Northwest Receives 1st Place Safety Award

Energy Northwest earned the American Public Power Association's Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2021.

March 16, 2022 at 9:17 a.m.

3 Decades of Donations

That’s how many lives Energy Northwest employees have had the opportunity to impact in the past 30 years through blood drives to support the American Red Cross.

March 14, 2022 at 8:53 a.m.

Surface Water Treatment Plant Flows EN Into Future

Along a dirt road at the Industrial Development Complex (IDC), a small, nondescript warehouse holds the future of potable water for Energy Northwest facilities.

March 9, 2022 at 8:46 a.m.

All In for Burrowing Owls

Nearly a dozen volunteers braved below-freezing temperatures on February 25 for the annual cleaning of Energy Northwest's artificial burrowing owl habitats.

December 15, 2021 at 8:25 a.m.

EN Employees Mark 41 Years of Spreading Holiday Joy

Thanks to the generosity of Energy Northwest employees, 374 Tri-Cities area children will receive both toys and needed clothing items this holiday season.

December 14, 2021 at 8:25 a.m.

Nuclear Energy Back on the Grid Following Turbine Maintenance

Energy Northwest operators reconnected Columbia Generating Station to the northwest power grid Monday afternoon following a planned maintenance outage.

December 13, 2021 at 8:24 a.m.

Career Fairs Help EN Reach the Next Generation

For decades, college career fairs have been a key strategy that employers use to recruit new employees.

December 7, 2021 at 7:53 a.m.

Engineer Receives CEO Lifesaving Award for Off-the-Job Heroism

​​Sometimes a trip to the coast is just a family vacation.

December 6, 2021 at 8:06 a.m.

Columbia Generating Station Offline for Planned Turbine Maintenance

Energy Northwest operators disconnected Columbia Generating Station from the northwest power grid early this morning for a planned maintenance outage.

December 1, 2021 at 8:03 a.m.

Energy Northwest Raises $80,000 for United Way

For the second year in a row, Energy Northwest employees raised more than $80,000 to benefit the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties.

November 15, 2021 at 7:48 a.m.

Work-Based Learning Program a Win-Win

​Marissa Ray, of Energy Northwest's Training department, knows first-hand the benefits of work-based learning (WBL) students.

November 11, 2021 at 7:55 a.m.

Energy Northwest Named to Top Military Friendly Employers List for 7th Straight Year

Energy Northwest is proud to announce that it has earned the Military Friendly Employer designation for 2022.

November 3, 2021 at 7:39 a.m.

Public Power Forum Focuses on Energizing the Future

​More than 180 regional leaders came together last week to learn about the future of the power industry and how to be ready for it.

November 1, 2021 at 7:32 a.m.

Powering Our Clean Energy Future

For more than 60 years, Energy Northwest has been producing carbon-free energy for its public power members.

October 4, 2021 at 7:20 a.m.

From Navy Captain to Energy Executive. CEO Schuetz Ascends to the Top

Bob Schuetz never imagined a career with Energy Northwest.

October 1, 2021 at 2:55 a.m.

2 Employees Selected for WIN Mentoring Pilot

Kristine Darling wants to learn from others.

September 14, 2021 at 2:49 a.m.

Morrison Receives Highest Honor From NWPPA

The Northwest Public Power Association recognized Sid Morrison (above), for his lifetime of public service with the John M. George Public Service Award.

September 10, 2021 at 2:40 a.m.

Meet the NEXT Leaders in Nuclear

If there are fewer than a dozen people in any given meeting in the nuclear industry, the odds are high that only 1 of them is a woman.

August 30, 2021 at 2:34 a.m.

Fish Rescue Part of Packwood’s Annual Maintenance Outage

The Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project was taken offline August 15 for its annual maintenance outage.

August 26, 2021 at 2:27 a.m.

Officers Elected to Energy Northwest Executive Board

The Energy Northwest Executive Board elected officers at its public meeting in Snoqualmie on August 25.

August 4, 2021 at 2:20 a.m.

Morrison Energy Center Name Honors Public Power Advocate Sid Morrison

Energy Northwest leaders and board members officially dedicated the Morrison Energy Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 29.

July 29, 2021 at 2:15 a.m.

Schuetz Selected As Energy Northwest’s New CEO

Energy Northwest’s Executive Board today named Robert (Bob) Schuetz as the agency’s CEO, effective Aug. 7. Schuetz has been the site vice president since August 2018.

July 22, 2021 at 2:11 a.m.

EN Manager Selected for First NucLEADers Cohort

​​​​​​As a mechanical engineering student at Washington State University, Kaitlin Carter knew she wanted a career in energy.

June 29, 2021 at 2:02 a.m.

CEO Sawatzke Leaves a Legacy of Excellence at Energy Northwest

Brad Sawatzke started his career in nuclear power as an outage laborer at Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant in Minnesota.

June 19, 2021 at 1:58 a.m.

Northwest Nuclear Plant Refueled, Tuned Up, Back Online

Operators at Columbia Generating Station reconnected the nuclear power plant to the Northwest power grid today at 12:25 a.m. following its 25th refueling, and just in time to meet the summer's higher demand for electricity.

June 16, 2021 at 1:53 a.m.

Energy Northwest Board Names Grover Hettel as Interim CEO

Energy Northwest's executive board today named Grover Hettel as the agency's interim chief executive officer.

May 17, 2021 at 1:50 a.m.

Members, Officers Elected to Nuclear Energy Participant Board

Columbia Generating Station stakeholders, representing 92 utilities in 6 states, elected member utilities and individual officers to the nuclear power plant’s participants review board ​during their public meeting on May 13.

May 8, 2021 at 1:45 a.m.

Columbia Generating Station Begins 25th Refueling

Early this morning, Energy Northwest operators disconnected Columbia Generating Station from the Northwest power grid to begin its 25th refueling outage.

April 22, 2021 at 1:39 a.m.

Governing Board Elects New Director; Longtime Chair To Retire in June

The Energy Northwest Board of Directors elected a new member to the agency’s executive board during its regular meeting Wednesday.

April 1, 2021 at 1 a.m.

Energy Northwest, Grant County PUD & X-Energy Announce TRi Energy Partnership

Today, Energy Northwest, Grant County Public Utility District, and X-energy, LLC signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a mutual partnership to support the development and commercial demonstration of the country’s first advanced nuclear reactor.

March 24, 2021 at 12:57 a.m.

Energy Northwest Receives National Award for Outstanding Safety Practices

Energy Northwest earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2020.

March 18, 2021 at 12:51 a.m.

Elementary Students Help With Spring Cleaning for the Birds

For the past 5 years, Energy Northwest employees have been playing housekeeper for migratory owls that make their home in the shrub-steppe grassland surrounding the Pacific Northwest’s only nuclear power plant.

February 24, 2021 at 12:46 a.m.

Energy Northwest Employees Raise $83,000 for United Way

A global pandemic and limited ability to hold in-person fundraising events didn’t put a damper on the spirits of Energy Northwest employees raising funds for the United Way of Benton and Franklin counties.

February 3, 2021 at 12:19 a.m.

Energy Northwest Board of Directors Officer Elections

The Energy Northwest Board of Directors elected officers at its virtual meeting on January 27. The officers each serve a 2-year term.

January 11, 2021 at 12:14 a.m.

Energy Northwest Receives Notification of $1,150,000 Grant

Energy Northwest was conditionally awarded a $1,150,000 grant from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to install a network of electric vehicle charging stations along the White Pass Scenic Byway.

January 7, 2021 at 12:05 a.m.

CEO Brad Sawatzke Announces Intention To Retire in June

Chief Executive Officer Brad Sawatzke announced his intention to retire from the agency at the end of June, in an email to employees Wednesday.