Pacific Power joins nine west coast utilities for joint study exploring transportation electrification of Interstate 5

PORTLAND, Ore. — Imagine fleets of 18 wheelers moving silently down I-5, delivering goods and improving air quality. But how do we get there from here? Pacific Power wants to find out.

The energy company announced today that it joins nine West Coast power providers to find solutions to significantly reduce harmful emissions along the 1,300 mile length of Interstate 5 between the Canadian and Mexican borders.  

“As the only electric utility that serves customers in all three states along the I-5 corridor, we believe Pacific Power has a unique perspective to bring to this research,” said Scott Bolton, senior vice president of external affairs for Pacific Power. “The I-5 corridor is the economic backbone for transporting essential goods and services to our customers. We see investments in transportation electrification and electric charging infrastructure as a great way to support the economic vitality and environmental quality of communities along the corridor.”

The electric companies, along with two agencies representing over two dozen municipal utilities, are sponsoring a first-of-its-kind study: the West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative. The study will examine options to build out transportation electrification infrastructure to support the transition from gas and diesel-fueled long-haul trucks to electric trucks.

“At Pacific Power, we believe great things happen when we work in partnership with other utilities,” said Bolton. “This study is an excellent example of that and demonstrates the great alignment in the West around discussing and planning for our shared energy future.”

The study is expected to be concluded by the end of 2019 with implementation of recommendations expected to begin in the early 2020s.

The utility and municipality study co-sponsors are Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Northern California Power Agency, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Puget Sound Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Public Power Authority and Seattle City Light.