Vice President Nuclear Development - New Nuclear

Future data centers offer promise but also pressures. March 12, 2026 From Wallula Gap to West Richland and Richland's Horn Rapids corridor, Eastern Washington is rapidly emerging as a major data center corridor, bringing both opportunity and complex questions about infrastructure, energy and economic impact. But the boom also has sparked debate. Data centers require vast amounts of electricity and water, create relatively few permanent jobs once construction ends, and can put pressure on local infrastructure if growth outpaces planning. Those realities deserve serious consideration even as the region competes for investment. Washington set a new record for data center leasing in 2025, with Central Washington's inventory nearly doubling to over 400 megawatts as demand surges, especially from cloud and AI providers, according to CBRE Group Inc., a Dallas-based commercial real estate services and investment firm. About 35 miles south of us, Hermiston, Oregon, is already a recognized regional leader in data center development. With multiple operational campuses - driven by Amazon Web Services - Hermiston's proactive planning and rapid growth sets a high bar. Its experience offers valuable lessons and momentum for the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities, as these hubs strengthen the Pacific Northwest's digital infrastructure. Major regional projects underway include: - A roughly $4.8 billion data center campus at Wallula Gap, led by Amazon Web Services and planned as a multiphase build spanning millions of square feet. Read more on page B1. - A developer who has expressed interest in developing a large data center campus in West Richland. - An option agreement in Richland with Atlas Agro for hundreds of acres at Horn Rapids Road that could host data centers. Energy innovation is also central to the region's strategy. Energy Northwest and Amazon are advancing small modular reactors near Richland to deliver clean, reliable power that can sustain growth into the next decade. Washington lawmakers are balancing growth incentives with cost management. Recent proposals to revise tax exemptions on server equipment and impose energy and water regulations reflect concerns about environmental impacts and public costs. Although some efforts have stalled under industry pushback, ongoing policy discussions in Olympia highlight the need for frameworks supporting economic development without sacrificing sustainability or ratepayer equity. These debates will shape Washington's data center future - and how the Tri-Cities competes with Oregon's established hubs. The Tri-Cities exemplify how digital infrastructure fuels local economies - from construction jobs to technical employment and expanded tax bases. Yet challenges remain: matching electricity demand, protecting water resources, paying for upgrades and ensuring policies protect ratepayers while enabling growth. The regional data center boom is coming. 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.

Amazon unveils name, designs for SMR project. A year after announcing a proposed new nuclear project between multinational retailer Amazon, nuclear developer X-energy and Energy Northwest, more details have emerged, including plans to begin construction within the next five years. Now called the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, the project involves construction of small modular reactors, or SMRs, near Energy Northwest's nuclear Columbia Generating Station. While initial plans call for building a facility generating 320 megawatts of power, renderings released by Amazon show what the facility would look like at full build-out and generating 960 megawatts. "This project isn't just about new technology; it's about creating a reliable source of carbon-free energy that will support our growing digital world," said Kara Hurst, Amazon's chief sustainability officer, in a statement. "I'm excited about the potential of SMRs and the positive impact they will have on both the environment and local communities." The project is expected to generate more than 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs once the facility is operational. Energy Northwest is currently focused on the site feasibility project, said Jackie Eutsey, the power generator's strategic outreach program manager for new nuclear development, during a panel discussion at the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) on Oct. 14. While that process and licensing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will take time, there is momentum behind the project. "The state gave us $25 million to pursue all this," she said, referring to an appropriation from the Legislature. "That has really solidified confidence in the project." A schematic of the proposed Cascade Advanced Energy Facility identifies the different components of the facility that will house small modular reactors, or SMRs, and other support components. | Courtesy Amazon SMRs are next-generation nuclear reactors that are smaller than current commercial reactors with simpler designs, faster deployment, lower construction costs and less disruptive refueling processes. In an agreement with Energy Northwest, Amazon will provide two years of funding for the SMR project, supporting the necessary activities prior to construction, including permit applications. Energy Northwest will build, own and run the reactors, which will use X-energy's Xe-100 design. Through the pact with Energy Northwest, Amazon will have the right to buy electricity from the first four reactors. If the others are built, the power will be available to Amazon and northwest utilities. "Over the past year, the support of Amazon has enabled us to accelerate progress on our technology, grow our team with world-class talent and expertise, and position the Cascade Advanced Energy Center at the forefront of energy innovation," said J. Clay Sell, CEO of X-energy, in a statement. "The scale of this work is historic, and we are privileged to have world-class partners like Amazon and Energy Northwest in this effort." In January, Energy Northwest chose AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. as the owner's engineer, responsible for supporting the design, licensing, construction and commissioning of the future facility. Amazon has said construction is currently expected to start by the end of this decade, with operations targeted to start in the 2030s. Energy Northwest has also partnered with Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities to begin training the future workforce of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility via certificate programs and a state-of-the-art training simulator based near the WSU Tri-Cities campus. "Investing in advanced training simulators prepares future operators and builds the foundation for a clean energy workforce that will power our region for decades to come," said Bob Schuetz, CEO of Energy Northwest, in a statement. "This interactive experience helps demystify nuclear energy and goes beyond the textbook, showing students that a viable, meaningful career in clean energy is within reach - and that they can be part of something transformative." The demand for power is already straining the region's power grid, both through population growth in the Mid-Columbia but also increasingly power-hungry facilities, particularly the data centers behind artificial intelligence, or AI. Along with many already operated by Amazon in the region, there are various efforts and plans for additional data centers from West Richland to Hermiston.