Clean Energy Excellence

The Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy is a statewide and regional resource that represents the interests of the energy industry and our labor partners, within the Washington State Community and Technical College system.

About Us
We exist to narrow the gap between employers’ demands for a highly skilled workforce and the colleges’ ability to supply work-ready graduates. We convene industry and labor to help drive workforce development initiatives — and coordinate community college resources after industry and labor set the direction.

PNW Center of Excellence for Clean Energy logo
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The energy industry — globally, nationally, and in Washington state — is in the midst of tremendous change. Significant growth in the renewable/clean energy sector has occurred in recent years and forecasts show that this trend will continue. Washington state is on the leading edge of new developments and emerging technologies, and the state is well positioned to accelerate the shift toward a clean energy economy to support state environmental and economic goals. The future growth in clean energy depends on a well-qualified workforce to design, build, operate, and maintain renewable energy plants and equipment.

Who We Serve

Electricians working on a fuse box

Students

Discover detailed information about education and career pathways in energy.

Smart schoolchildren sharing their ecology project idea with teacher

Educators

Explore educational resources and curriculum for home or the classroom.

Asian engineer working in fieldwork outdoor. Worker sitting and inspect construction and machine around project site. Wind turbine electrical of clean resource energy and environment sustainable.

Industry

Resources such as reports, publications, and funding opportunities for all our partners.

News

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Chernobyl at 40: Where it Stands Now

Chernobyl at 40: Where it Stands Now

On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, POWER sent a freelance photographer and correspondent to the site in Ukraine to document the massive decommissioning effort still underway—and the new threats that have complicated it. At 1:23 a.m. local time on April...

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APPA Recognizes Public Power Utilities with RP3 Designation

APPA Recognizes Public Power Utilities with RP3 Designation

High-voltage wire tower at dusk One hundred eighteen of the nation’s more than 2,000 public power utilities earned the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®) designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA) for providing reliable and safe electric service,...

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Events

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NWPPA Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show, April 14-16, 2026, Portland OR.

2026 Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show

Join more than 1,000 public power professionals from across the West for the region’s largest electric utility event.

Register here

April 13-16
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, OR

artistic image of four women in hard hats

2026 Washington Women in Trades Fair

Participants include training programs, apprenticeships, unions, city & county agencies, non-profits, and commercial construction companies. Learn about job options from tradeswomen, all in one room, all at the same time. Exhibits are both indoors and outdoors.

Come ready to try a trade! Everyone is welcome at this FREE event!

Register here

May 1, 2026
Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center
Seattle, WA

water

Offshore Technology Conference

Steering Offshore Energy Innovation into the Future emphasizes the pivotal role oil and gas, along with other emerging offshore energy sources, will play in shaping a sustainable and energy-secure future. As the global demand for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions grows, offshore energy solutions are at the forefront of this evolution. 

Register here

May 4-7, 2026
NRG Park
Houston, TX