January 2024 August 2025
Inland Power is my cooperative!
LIGH
READING
A population destination
and the energy impact
T
he population in eastern Washington and northern Idaho has shown a notable upward trend over the past few decades, fueled by a mix of economic opportunities, stunning natural landscapes and a high quality of life. Both urban and rural areas in the region have experienced substantial growth. Cities, along with smaller communities, have benefited from emerging industries, strong educational institutions and an increase in cultural and community activities. Although the population boom, which peaked during and shortly after the pandemic has tapered off slightly, eastern Washington and northern Idaho continue to draw new residents in search of a balance between
career prospects and access to nature. This surge in population has brought challenges including heightened housing demand, traffic congestion, environmental pressures and grid-related issues. Consequently, our energy production, sourcing and consumption are crucial to ensuring that this growth remains manageable and sustainable. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the 13 counties Inland Power serves experienced an overall population increase of 13.7 percent from 2010 to 2020. 2020 Washington and Idaho were among 14 states that saw a population increase of 10 percent or more during this period as well. As this region has become increasingly popular not only for residents but also for
visitors, the demand for power to support the influx has placed additional strain on our grid. To meet this increasing demand, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is investing in the hydropower system improvements to ensure our region’s primary source of generation continues to be reliable, affordable and clean. Investments in other energy producing projects such as wind and solar continue to be explored, and nuclear continues to play a significant part with the recent BPA approval announcement of a $700 million project aimed at boosting the output of the Columbia Generation Station nuclear facility in Richland, Washington. continued on page 2
Our mission is our members!