Energy

Feds sign off on expanded license for Framatome’s Richland plant

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 06 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A nuclear fuel manufacturing facility north of Richland is continuing its march to be on the front line of providing advanced fuels and technologies to the burgeoning U.S. nuclear energy industry.

Report: Nearly half of Americans oppose data centers in their communities

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of daily life but the infrastructure that supports it is something many Americans want no part of.

X-energy goes public

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

You can now buy stock in the company planning to build the next generation of nuclear reactors north of Richland in partnership with Amazon and Energy Northwest.

WSU researchers find cheaper means to unlock the power of sewage

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A team of Washington State University researchers, including some based at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, have found a new method to treat sewage that reduces the costs of wastewater treatment while also creating renewable natural gas.

State officials seek comment on potential energy impacts of data centers

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Have thoughts on how data centers could impact electric resources and consumers in Washington state? State officials want to hear from you.

Federal funding for state energy projects to be restored

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Trump administration has dropped its appeal to a federal court ruling that blocked its cap on federal reimbursement for state energy programs, threatening projects ranging from energy efficiency and grid resilience to wildfire mitigation.

Amazon plans another data center southwest of Tri-Cities

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Planning officials in Oregon’s Morrow County recently approved a proposal from Amazon to build a data center campus with buildings encompassing 816,000 square feet just east of the Boardman Airport.

Soaring diesel prices hit WA family farms' bottom line

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The conflict in Iran has caused fuel prices to soar and Washington State farmers said it hits them hard when they are putting crops in the ground.

WA awards $7.3M in clean energy grants in Benton, Franklin counties

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State officials recently announced funding for a slew of solar power projects along with a few other clean energy efforts in the Mid-Columbia.

More PNNL cuts possible under Trump’s proposed 2027 budget

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Research programs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory may be facing more belt tightening if President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for the next fiscal year is implemented.

X-energy announces intention to go public

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The nuclear company behind the small modular reactors planned for north of Richland has launched the process to sell common stock in the company via the Nasdaq stock exchange.

WSU Tri-Cities researchers secure funding from university president initiative

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Projects aimed at nuclear energy and education at Washington State University Tri-Cities are among the 10 projects to receive inaugural awards from a research initiative from WSU President Betsy Cantwell.

Benton, Walla Walla ports earn economic development awards

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A state-level economic development association singled out the ports of Benton and Walla Walla for accolades in its annual awards for securing the most economically significant development projects in the past year.

Solgen assets worth $7M going on the auction block

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Everything from uninstalled solar panels and fleet vehicles to computers and office furniture will be up for the taking beginning March 25 as liquidators clear inventory and equipment of a former Pasco-based solar company that went bankrupt at the end of 2025.

Tri-City drivers are paying about $1 more per gallon than a month ago

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Spring break is just around the corner, and if you’re driving to take some time off, you’ll be shelling out a good bit more at the pump.

Yakama Nation receives state funding for clean energy projects

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Yakama Nation will receive $4.9 million from the state Department of Commerce to advance several clean energy projects.

Future data centers offer promise but also pressures

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

With abundant land, affordable clean power and an experienced talent pool, the Tri-Cities can become the nation’s premier digital infrastructure hub. But the real opportunity lies in getting the balance right and pairing rapid growth with environmental responsibility, sound energy planning and meaningful returns for local communities.

Project Omega’s nuclear tech gets scientific boost from PNNL collaboration

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A private East Coast enterprise is teaming up with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to recycle spent nuclear fuel – and the results could power endeavors like space exploration while making spent nuclear fuel less dangerous.

Amazon moves to close $36M land deal for Wallula Gap data center

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Amazon, the company once shrouded in secrecy that wants to build a $5 billion data center at Wallula Gap, is looking to buy even more land for the project.

Group says state omitted critical wind farm comments from record

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:48:42 -0400

One of the opponents of a proposed wind farm south and west of the Tri-Cities claims the state attorney general’s office left public comments opposing the project out of records transmitted to the Washington Supreme Court.

SMR developer extends fuel manufacturing deal with Framatome

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The Richland fuel production facility of an international nuclear company has racked up more work as next generation nuclear energy ventures continue to gain steam.

Federal judge orders increased spill from Snake, Columbia dams

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A recent federal ruling that sets how much water must spill from and stay behind the lower Snake and some Columbia River dams is garnering mixed reactions from advocates for the infrastructure that supports agriculture, energy and transportation needs across the Pacific Northwest.

WA sues feds for pulling funding for hydrogen hub, WSU

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A lawsuit being co-led by the Washington State Attorney General argues that federal agencies illegally canceled funding for clean energy projects, including the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, to punish Democrat-led states.

Columbia Generating Station back online

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Energy Northwest’s nuclear power plant north of Richland is once again providing power to the grid after an unplanned shutdown on Feb. 12 to address a problem with its reactor cooling system.

PacifiCorp selling its Washington business to Portland General Electric

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The Portland-based utility that provides power to Eastern Washington communities near the Tri-Cities is preparing to exit the state and hand its market share to another Pacific Northwest company.

BPA projects stronger finances, but challenges with cash reserves

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Bonneville Power Administration officials are feeling more optimistic about the power provider’s finances for 2026 than at this time last year, but still anticipate challenges ahead.

Energy Northwest’s nuclear plant in unplanned shutdown

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:56:28 -0500

Columbia Generating Station was shut down early in the morning of Feb. 12 after operators found issues with the pumps circulating water through the reactor’s core.

DOE, nuclear fuel company team up for new mission at Hanford

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

A U.S. company that a year ago revealed its plans to potentially make Richland one of its hubs for nuclear fuel production will use a dormant Hanford site facility located southwest of Energy Northwest as part of that effort.

Private sector partnerships propel Richland startup toward large-scale deployment

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Private companies and startups are partnering with this Richland-based company, setting the stage for it to apply its technology at scale.

How Oasis Freight scaled from mom-and-pop to multistate powerhouse

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

This Kennewick-based company’s small business success story is one that entrepreneurs dream about.