How Pacific Northwest can handle growing energy demands without new gas-fired power plants

Think Out Loud

How Pacific Northwest can handle growing energy demands without new gas-fired power plants

Clean

Published on Mar 31, 2026, 1:13:55 PM
Total time: 00:20:48

Episode Description

A recent study by the Energy + Environmental Economics, also known as E3, found that by 2030 the Northwest will have a roughly 9 gigawatt energy gap. The study also found that the region will need to rely on natural gas plants and may need to build more infrastructure to support it. But some think this is unnecessary. The think tank Sightline Institute has a new report arguing that the energy shortfall is misleading and says there are other ways to save power, such as asking data centers to temporarily reduce their use during times when the grid is stressed. Laura Feinstein is a fellow at Sightline. She joins us to share more.

More about Think Out Loud

OPB's daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.