Tom Banse

Correspondent Tom Banse is an Olympia-based reporter with more than three decades of experience covering Washington and Oregon state government, public policy, business and breaking news stories. Most of his career was spent with public radio's Northwest News Network, but now in semi-retirement his work is appearing on other outlets.

The tab to keep a Pacific Northwest coal plant on standby keeps rising. Who will pay?

June 25, 2026

Tom Banse

The Alberta-based owner of the Centralia facility has proposed to split the tab for keeping the plant ready between Bonneville Power Administration and CAISO, the manager of California’s wholesale electric grid.

Washington state pumps more tax dollars toward green jet fuel

January 11, 2026

Tom Banse

A new eco-fuel development nonprofit, dubbed the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator, in Snohomish County is the state’s latest effort to support sustainable aviation fuel. That effort includes a proposed green jet fuel production facility south of the Tri-Cities.

Feds yank funding for Northwest green hydrogen project

Big investments in Richland, Bellingham now in doubt

October 3, 2025

Tom Banse

The future of a $1 billion fertilizer plant in Richland is in doubt after the Trump administration on Oct. 1 nixed funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub and other federally-subsidized clean energy projects in Democratic-led states.

Another hydrogen developer exits regional clean energy project

Multibillion dollar Pacific NW Hydrogen Hub recruiting replacements amid uncertain federal funding

September 7, 2025

Tom Banse

A billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded enterprise to kickstart a clean hydrogen industry in the Pacific Northwest took another hit due to energy companies getting cold feet.