August 15, 2024

Wyden Urges Biden Administration to Develop a Reliable Energy Grid in Communities Awarded CHIPS Act Funding

Washington, D.C. — As the CHIPS Act provides investments in high-tech manufacturing in Oregon and nationwide, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he is urging the Departments of Energy and Commerce to work closely together in ensuring communities earning those federal funds also receive support to develop a robust grid that can reliably meet growing energy demands.

Pacific Northwest utilities expect energy demand will increase by about 30 percent over the next 10 years. Driven largely by the expansion of energy-hungry data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities, this growth rate is nearly triple compared to the last decade – adding more stress to the region’s already-strained power grid.

Oregon has received more than $3.7 billion from the CHIPS Act, and industry projects within the state are expected to exceed $35 billion over the next five years. Targeted support from existing federal transmission programs would help ensure that Oregon can reap the CHIPS Act awards’ full benefits, while accelerating the state and America’s transition to clean energy, including creating green jobs. 

The full text of the letter is here.

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