Our mission is to enable the delivery of low-cost electricity and energy freedom to the West through an efficient and integrated grid system.
By working together to connect individual power grids across the West, we can strengthen our infrastructure, bring down costs, and create a stronger, more reliable grid for generations.
WESTERN FREEDOM
ABOUT US
HISTORY
The electricity sector has entered into a new era — one where partnerships between the utility, regulators, energy experts and customers — big and small — have a shared goal of everyone doing their part to deliver a more reliable, cleaner energy future for all.
For hundreds of years, individual utilities built localized electric systems to serve their immediate customers. In today’s more integrated and complex world, utilities and customers are beginning to work together to create a larger system to serve the region. At Western Freedom, we are inspired by that partnership — and want to advance that work to create an effective and efficient regional electric system that provides access to reliable, affordable and clean energy that promotes innovation and the advancement of renewable energy. A system that drives social, economic and progress for all of the West.
That’s why we created Western Freedom, a broad coalition of customers representing a diverse set of interests – advocates, large businesses, energy experts, nonprofits, and thousands of grassroots supporters supporting a western regional transmission organization (RTO).
Our electricity system continues to be challenged by increased frequency of severe weather events and the continued integration of more renewable energy. At the same time, states, counties, cities, and large customers are putting stakes in the ground around decarbonization goals. The time is now to develop a Western RTO that will create a system for a more reliable, stable, and efficient grid that achieves maximum benefits for customers.
At Western Freedom, we are about action and progress. We know only discussing solutions to high energy costs, grid reliability, and climate change is not enough. Instead, we knew we needed to move. We’ve activated nearly 20,000 supporters representing a diverse set of 30 partner organizations across several western states to advocate for necessary infrastructure projects like transmission lines, and utility-scale renewable projects like wind, solar, and battery. Our efforts and those of our partners have led directly to the creation of over 4,000 new jobs, 43 clean energy sites and $15 billion in overall economic investment.
Together, we will transform the West and show the country the power of partnerships.
A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDERS
We’ve seen firsthand that the threat of losing an entire school system, a family-owned farm, local businesses, and generations of economic opportunity is a constant reality for many communities around our country. Those threats inspired us to work tirelessly to help residents make their voices heard and push decision-makers to approve necessary energy projects to benefit everyone.
We are proud to drive through communities where we’ve worked on successful projects. But far too many communities have never received the positive impacts that energy stability and independence can provide. That’s why Western Freedom was born.
We’re a one-stop shop for project advocacy and the only boots-on-the-ground operation working on getting renewable and energy transmission projects off the ground.
We build coalitions that are meant to last. Join us.