Does the Pacific Northwest have the energy it needs to prevent rolling blackouts? A new report commissioned by the region’s largest utilities has raised concerns.

Starting next year, the Northwest could face a power shortage that would challenge the reliability of the grid during extreme conditions, according to the report.

The report analyzed the region’s energy plans against potential weather and hydropower conditions across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and parts of Utah and Wyoming. It found the highest chance of a rolling blackout during a dry hydropower year, combined with a dayslong cold snap.

To be sure, these are statistical projections, and a blackout is unlikely in the next five years. But they come at a time of unprecedented growth in energy demand, the shutdown of coal

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