The energizing of the new Lewis County Public Utility District substation near Winlock is more than a milestone for South Lewis County. It is an example of the type of long-term infrastructure investments Washington must continue making if we want affordable, reliable, and secure electricity for families, employers, and future generations. On June 23rd, we energized substation and saw the hard work and collaboration become reality.

As Assistant Ranking Member on the House Capital Budget Committee and a member of the House Environment & Energy Committee, I have worked to prioritize investments that strengthen our state’s electric grid while preparing communities for continued residential, commercial, and industrial growth.

From my first legislative term in 2021, I advocated for additional electrical capacity in the Winlock area because it was clear that South Lewis County was poised for significant growth. Working with Lewis County PUD, local governments, economic development leaders, and my colleagues in the Legislature, I helped secure state Capital Budget funding to make this project possible. By investing state dollars, we helped reduce the financial burden on local ratepayers while ensuring our communities would have the electrical capacity needed to support new homes, businesses, schools, and family-wage jobs.

Infrastructure rarely makes headlines until it isn’t there. Reliable electricity is essential to nearly every part of modern life—from hospitals and emergency services to manufacturers, data centers, agriculture, small businesses, and families working from home. As our economy grows and electricity demand continues to increase, Washington must build the infrastructure necessary to deliver power safely and reliably.

That means investing in both energy production and energy transmission.

Too often, public policy focuses almost exclusively on how electricity is generated while overlooking the transmission system that delivers it to homes and businesses. Even the cleanest or most efficient source of energy cannot serve Washington families if we lack the substations, transmission lines, and distribution infrastructure needed to move electricity where it is needed.

Washington needs an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy.

Hydropower remains the backbone of our clean energy system, but we also need nuclear energy, natural gas, hydrogen, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, emerging technologies, and continued innovation. A diverse portfolio strengthens reliability, protects against supply disruptions, helps stabilize costs, and ensures our electric grid remains resilient during periods of high demand or extreme weather.

Equally important is modernizing our transmission network. New generation without adequate transmission capacity simply creates bottlenecks. Strategic investments in substations, transmission corridors, grid modernization, and energy storage will determine whether Washington can meet future energy demands while maintaining affordability and reliability.

These priorities are one reason I was honored last year to receive the Public Works Board’s Infrastructure Champion Award. The recognition reflected years of work supporting investments in public infrastructure that improve quality of life, strengthen local economies, and prepare communities for future growth. Infrastructure is not simply about roads and bridges—it includes the energy systems that power our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals.

The new Winlock substation demonstrates what can happen when local utilities, community leaders, economic development organizations, and state government work together toward a common goal. It is an investment not only in today’s reliability but also in tomorrow’s opportunities.

Washington’s future depends on maintaining secure, reliable, and affordable electricity. That will require continued investment in modern transmission infrastructure and a balanced energy policy that embraces diverse sources of energy production rather than relying on any single technology.

By planning ahead and making smart infrastructure investments today, we can ensure Washington remains a place where families thrive, businesses invest, and communities continue to grow for decades to come.

Congratulations to Lewis PUD on their amazing efforts. Read about Rep. Abbarno’s tour from November 10, 2025: Rep. Peter Abbarno visits new Lewis County PUD substation, discusses growing power needs for South Lewis County | Rep. Peter Abbarno

Read the Chronicle Article from June 25, 2026: Lewis County PUD energizes new substation in Winlock | The Daily Chronicle