The Pacific Northwest is facing a looming power shortfall roughly equal to Oregon’s entire current electricity usage. (The Oregonian)
After a so-called "Goldilocks era" of flat demand, the region is now projecting a 9 GW deficit within five years.
The collision of forces: State mandates forcing the retirement of reliable fossil fuel plants just as AI data centers—enticed by massive tax breaks—send power consumption soaring.
Experts warn the region’s now renewable-heavy grid may fail during multi-day heat domes or freezes, particularly in low-water years when hydropower underperforms.