Expanding Washington’s transmission development is essential to the state’s clean energy transition. As electricity demand grows and the state works to meet its decarbonization goals, current transmission constraints limit the ability to deliver clean, reliable and affordable power.
Washington needs to strengthen and expand the transmission system through coordinated planning, efficient and effective siting and permitting. Investments in new and upgraded lines is essential for connecting diverse sources of clean energy generation, improving grid reliability during extreme weather, supporting economic development, and ensuring that communities and tribes can meaningfully participate in project planning. Commerce is supporting this in a variety of ways.
Washington Electric Transmission Authority
In 2026, the Legislature passed and Gov. Ferguson signed SB 6355, creating the Washington Electric Transmission Authority (WETA) to speed up transmission upgrades and the development of new transmission lines across the state. WETA’s mandate is to collaborate with utilities, developers, local and regional entities, state agencies, the Bonneville Power Administration, federally recognized tribes and affected communities on transmission projects.
WETA will also coordinate financing options and launch high-priority transmission projects throughout the state. The Governor’s office will appoint members to serve on the WETA Board by January 2027. The board of directors will subsequently hire an Executive Director by June 30, 2027.
Commerce is supporting WETA by:
- Providing all administrative and staff support for and maintaining oversight of WETA until the board of directors hires an executive director.
- Identifying high-priority transmission corridors in Washington based on the projects included in the western transmission expansion coalition’s (WestTEC) 10-year horizon report published in February 2026 — and incorporating results of the 20-year study, once it’s available.
- Coordinating with the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs (GOIA) and the Department of Ecology to develop a recommended tribal consultation framework for transmission planning and implementation.
Commerce is also actively engaged in dialogue with Bonneville Power Administration, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, and the Utilities and Transportation Commission about the state’s transmission needs and transmission projects under development and in permitting.
Responsible energy siting and transmission
The Legislature appropriated funding from the 2025-2027 budget that requires Commerce to:
- Work with a tribal collaborative to identify areas where renewable energy and transmission projects can be developed with fewer conflicts. This effort should consider tribal energy needs, tribal sovereignty and rights, sensitive natural areas and working land. The goal to reduce harm and increase benefits for tribal communities.
- Commerce is also creating a framework and process to support early and ongoing overburdened community input for planning and developing transmission corridors.
Community engagement sessions
- Community involvement session (April 2026)
- Tribal involvement session on electric transmission (May 2026)
In 2024, the Washington Legislature directed Commerce to bring together utilities and labor representatives to study the state’s electrical transmission workforce.
The Electrical Transmission Workforce Study evaluates workforce supply, projected demand, training pathways and workforce barriers for line workers, line-clearance tree trimmers and substation technicians. It also identifies actions that the state, utilities, labor organizations, training providers and other partners can take to increase the number of qualified workers needed to support Washington’s energy infrastructure and clean-energy transition.
Washington’s current electrical transmission workforce includes approximately 2,350 line workers, 280 substation technicians and 370 line-clearance tree trimmers. Most positions are unionized, and wages for line workers and substation technicians generally meet or exceed living-wage standards.
The study evaluated two future workforce scenarios. If transmission stays at current levels, workforce needs are expected to grow modestly. Washington would need about 150 more line workers, 20 more substation technicians, and 50 more tree trimmers.
If transmission needs adapt to clean-energy growth scenario aligned with Washington’s long-term clean-energy goals, workforce needs will increase significantly, with projected needs for approximately 1,550 more line workers, 320 more substation technicians and 240 more tree trimmers.
Achieving Washington’s clean-energy goals will require an ongoing investment in transmission workforce development, training capacity and recruitment. To address these needs, the legislative report outlines targeted recommendations to:
- Increase line worker apprenticeship opportunities and training capacity
- Expand the accessibility, affordability and relevance of pre-apprenticeship programs
- Strengthen career awareness and engagement in K-12 and postsecondary education
- Support workforce diversification and reduce barriers to entry
- Address workforce retirements and knowledge transfer challenges
- Clarify and strengthen Washington-specific safety standards and oversight for line-clearance tree trimmers
- Use new opportunities, including Workforce Pell, to support workforce training