The state of Washington is accelerating the decarbonization of energy. It is shifting the current energy mix away from fossil fuels and toward zero-emissions electricity and other low-emission energy sources. This requires adapting industrial and agricultural processes, especially critical in the mid-Columbia region, rich in farmland and food processing manufacturing. It increases the need for more energy efficiencies, managing energy demand, and effective carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology innovations.

The transition to net-zero carbon emissions involves transforming energy and land-use systems supporting the region’s way of life and economic well-being. Understanding the interrelationships and assessing the economic, social, and political ramifications of changes in the energy and land-use systems is the mission of the WSU Institute for Northwest Energy Futures research and analytic services.

The WSU Tri-Cities campus already boasts several related research and educational centers dedicated to tackling energy-related scientific and engineering challenges. The WSU-PNNL joint nuclear, biofuels, and power grid institutes and the Bioproducts, Sciences, & Engineering Lab, will partner and collaborate with the WSU Institute for Northwest Energy Futures to better understand and shape the mid-Columbia region’s diverse energy resources and systems.

The WSU Tri-Cities campus recently announced its first endowed faculty position in energy and the environment due to the $500,000 gift from Bob Ferguson. Ferguson served as the first deputy assistant secretary of nuclear programs for the U.S. Department of Energy and is a long-time Tri-Citian and energy leader in the state and region. The endowed faculty position in energy and environment serves as a linchpin for the new institute and its role in helping solve net-zero emission challenges and creating a smooth energy system transition for the region and beyond.