Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Senate

An August article in The Seattle Times about July’s federal energy spending reforms either downplayed or completely ignored state-government policies that are already increasing energy costs in Washington.

Despite numerous references to climate and clean energy, it remained silent about the state’s 2021 carbon-reduction policy, the Climate Commitment Act – even though the CCA has significantly increased costs in the energy sectors that most power our economy and heat many homes.

An objective analysis would have acknowledged the energy code and years of poor legislation and policy changes from Olympia that increased electricity demand and contributed to rising housing costs. These rising costs led to the passage of Initiative 2066 last November, which safeguards access to affordable, reliable natural gas by ending bans on its use, thereby helping to lower housing expenses.

I appreciated the concerns about electricity costs expressed by Joe Nguyen, former state senator and current director of the state Department of Commerce. However, the Times missed an opportunity to credit former state Sen. Reuven Carlyle for being among a majority of legislators who not only imposed the CCA but also passed the so-called Clean Energy Transformation Act in 2019. At the time, Carlyle, who was the chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee, worked closely with the Inslee administration to develop this direction and pass the CCA.

The CCA has contributed to rising electricity rates by forcing utilities to abandon affordable natural gas and coal without realistic alternatives. Adding costly renewable mandates, lengthy permitting processes, and increasing demand from data centers creates a recipe for higher prices.

As someone who represents the Tri-Cities, home to some of the most innovative energy research and development in the country, I don’t see the federal government’s recent actions taking clean energy away; instead, they restore balance.

For too long, Washington’s energy portfolio has been distorted by subsidies that favor politically connected industries while punishing others. Wind and solar developers have claimed billions in taxpayer-funded credits, yet our communities continue to face the risk of brownouts every summer.

Meanwhile, our hydropower – still one of the cleanest, most reliable renewable sources in the world – has been pushed aside in favor of experimental projects.

I predict the new approach from Washington, D.C. will equalize the competition, giving every energy source — from carbon-free nuclear and hydropower to advanced natural gas and emerging renewables — a fair shot based on reliability and affordability, rather than political favoritism.

Any suggestion that clean-energy jobs will disappear from Washington ignores reality. The Tri-Cities is ground zero for the next generation of clean, reliable power.

At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, researchers are pioneering grid-scale battery storage and advanced nuclear technology. Energy Northwest continues to operate one of the most efficient nuclear plants in the country, and local innovators are exploring small modular reactors that could supply carbon-free baseload power for decades.

Those jobs aren’t disappearing because of a tax-credit sunset; they’re growing because energy companies want technology that can keep the lights on 24/7.

In addition, the federal subsidies eliminated by Congress primarily benefited corporations, not households. A wealthy Seattle homeowner who could afford $40,000 worth of solar panels might receive a $12,000 tax credit. Meanwhile, a young family renting an apartment in Pasco sees nothing. That isn’t fairness; it’s a transfer of wealth from working families to those who can already afford luxury upgrades.

Washington’s energy future must be grounded in pragmatism, not politics. Ask me about my struggle to depoliticize the process for siting energy projects, then let’s talk about the inherent weaknesses of wind and solar, especially in a state like ours.

Here’s the reality: Our region was built on hydropower, Washington is leading the way in nuclear innovation, and natural gas can be made cleaner through carbon capture. The best path forward is an “all of the above” strategy — using renewables where they make sense without penalizing other affordable, reliable resources.

Washington families deserve the whole story about what’s causing their energy bills to increase. I also hope they appreciate efforts by Republicans to restore fairness, affordability, and common sense to our energy policy.

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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, represents Washington’s 8th Legislative District. He is the Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee.