HB 2090

This bill directs Washington state to integrate advanced nuclear energy into its state energy strategy as a means to meet ambitious decarbonization goals, including achieving 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and 100% clean electricity by 2045. The legislation recognizes that growing energy demand from data centers, electrification, and artificial intelligence, combined with the need to replace approximately 19% of current electricity generation that comes from emitting sources, requires new clean energy solutions beyond variable renewables like wind and solar. By explicitly incorporating advanced nuclear technologies—particularly small modular reactors—into state energy planning, the bill aims to provide reliable, high-capacity clean power that can reduce the total number of facilities and land area needed for decarbonization while ensuring grid stability during peak demand periods and low renewable output conditions.