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PNW strives to move away from fossil fuels, but goal proves complicated

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Swift Dam holds back Swift Reservoir on Jan. 16 in Cougar. Renewable energy developers face several hurdles when building projects in the Pacific Northwest. Public opposition, like that facing Swift Dam’s operator PacifiCorp over its proposed Clark County transmission project, is one of them. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Swift Dam holds back Swift Reservoir on Jan. 16 in Cougar. Renewable energy developers face several hurdles when building projects in the Pacific Northwest. Public opposition, like that facing Swift Dam’s operator PacifiCorp over its proposed Clark County transmission project, is one of them. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

A substation sits behind the Swift No. 2 hydroelectric station and next to Lewis River on Jan. 16 in Cougar. As more energy is added to the region’s electric grid, the system has to undergo upgrades to handle the new capacity. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

A substation sits behind the Swift No. 2 hydroelectric station and next to Lewis River on Jan. 16 in Cougar. As more energy is added to the region’s electric grid, the system has to undergo upgrades to handle the new capacity. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Transmission poles support wires Jan. 16 near the Swift Dam in Cougar. Getting power from renewable energy sources to customers is one of the challenges renewable energy developers face when building new projects. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Transmission poles support wires Jan. 16 near the Swift Dam in Cougar. Getting power from renewable energy sources to customers is one of the challenges renewable energy developers face when building new projects. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

The Swift Dam rises above the treetops Jan. 16 in Cougar. PacifiCorp, which manages most of the hydro facilities along the Lewis River, wants to run a new 230kV power line from Swift Reservoir to Troutdale, Ore. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/ The Columbian)

The Swift Dam rises above the treetops Jan. 16 in Cougar. PacifiCorp, which manages most of the hydro facilities along the Lewis River, wants to run a new 230kV power line from Swift Reservoir to Troutdale, Ore. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/ The Columbian)

Just as Washington ordered utilities to start cutting fossil fuel use, demand for energy in the Pacific Northwest began skyrocketing.

In 2019, Washington lawmakers approved the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which requires utilities to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

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