Planning for Clean Energy

Session 4C | Thursday | 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)

About the Session

The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), passed in 2019, requires utilities to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and a carbon-free electrical energy supply by 2045. It sets the framework to ensure that all customers benefit from the transition to clean energy, including vulnerable populations and highly impacted communities. In order to meet CETA requirements, utilities in Washington State will need to make significant improvements to bring energy to regions of the state at an unprecedented scale and pace. What does this mean to planners going through periodic updates to comprehensive plans, code updates, and review permit applications for projects that are not characteristic of typical development proposals under mandated timelines? Hear a panel with representatives from Puget Sound Energy, Washington State Department of Commerce, and to learn more about CETA and its impacts on Washington cities and counties.

About the Moderator

RaeLynn Asah

Puget Sound Energy

RaeLynn Asah is the Manager of the Municipal Relations Department at Puget Sound Energy (PSE). RaeLynn joined PSE in 2014 as a Municipal Liaison Manager for the Northern part of PSE territory working closely with local municipalities and tribal governments on PSE and jurisdictional driven construction projects, permitting and franchise acquisition. RaeLynn also served as a Supervisor in the Municipal Relations department. Prior to joining PSE RaeLynn worked for Xcel Energy permitting and siting large electric and gas transmission facilities as well as supporting nuclear facility license renewal. RaeLynn holds a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Natural Resource and Environmental Policy, Economics and Society from the University of Minnesota.

About the Speakers

Austin Scharff, MSc

Washington State Department of Commerce, Energy Policy Office

Austin Scharff is an energy policy specialist at the Energy Policy Office at the Washington State Department of Commerce. His work focuses primarily on the implementation of Washington's 100% clean electricity law, the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA). He previously served as the legislative and rulemaking coordinator at the Energy Policy Office during the years Washington established its principal equity and environmental justice laws, and he was a primary contributor to the equity section of Washington's 2021 State Energy Strategy. A lifelong resident and explorer of Washington, Austin is committed to making sure the clean energy transition benefits all Washington residents. Prior to joining Commerce, Austin studied government and economics at the University of Puget Sound and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Rick Dunn, P.E.

General Manager, Benton Pud

Rick Dunn is the General Manager of Benton PUD; a position he has held since March 1, 2020. Rick is a graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer. He has more than 36 years of electrical power and utility systems engineering, operations, and management experience in both the public and private sectors.

Rick is a leader well-versed on the challenges of balancing complex energy and environmental issues. In the run up to the passage of Washington State’s Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), Rick was directly involved in the development of comprehensive studies of least-cost approaches to Pacific Northwest electricity sector decarbonization and the impacts on power grid reliability.

As a leader in the Tri-Cities community and long-time resident, Rick is a big supporter of nuclear power and is knowledgeable of the history of hydropower in the Pacific Northwest as well as the economic and environmental benefits and impacts of the dams. Rick serves on the Boards of Directors of Northwest RiverPartners and the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (PNUCC) and serves on the Executive Committee of the Public Power Council (PPC).

Andy Swayne, AICP

Puget Sound Energy

Andy Swayne has been with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and its predecessor since 1991. As Washington State's largest electric and natural gas utility, PSE serves 1.2 million electric and 800,000 natural gas customers in the Puget Sound region. With more than 30 years of municipal relations and major project permitting experience, Andy currently serves as PSE's Portfolio Permit Strategist advising project teams on local, state and federal permitting for PSE complex utility system projects and programs. Andy holds degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning, and co-developed and co-taught a maters level energy system infrastructure course as part of the University of Washington's Master of Infrastructure Planning & Management program.

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