The Future of Clean Energy 2.0
CLEAN ENERGY LUNCHEON
April 10th | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
The Woodmark Hotel
Presented by Puget Sound Energy
Panelists:
Eric Williams (COO of TerraPower)
Josh Jacobs (VP, Clean Energy Strategy & Planning at PSE)
Tom Bugert (Sr Director of State & Local Affairs at Helion Energy)
Washington State is entering a pivotal moment in its clean energy journey.
As of January 1, 2026, Puget Sound Energy no longer supplies its customers with electricity produced from coal.
How will Puget Sound Energy (PSE) ensure system reliability as the grid becomes more reliant on intermittent power sources such as wind and solar? What other carbon free technologies are on the horizon?
Join The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce on Friday April 10, 2026 for an engaging panel discussion featuring regional clean energy leaders as we explore the technologies, strategies, and innovations shaping Washington’s energy future—from wind and solar to small modular reactors and fusion.
From Wind to Fusion: Powering a Clean Energy Future
The transition to clean energy isn’t just about reducing carbon—it’s about ensuring the lights stay on.
As the grid becomes more reliant on intermittent power sources like wind and solar, new challenges emerge around reliability, storage, and peak demand. At the same time, breakthrough technologies are advancing faster than ever.
This conversation will dive into:
- How utilities are adapting to a coal-free future
- What technologies are filling the reliability gap
- Which carbon-free solutions are coming next (and how soon)
- How Washington's clean energy transition impacts businesses and communities
MEET OUR PANEL
Hear directly from leaders at the forefront of clean energy innovation

Eric Williams
Chief Operating Officer
TerraPower
Eric Williams is the Executive Vice President and COO for TerraPower. In this role, he oversees the operations associated with TerraPower’s reactor projects, including Natrium, MCFR, Regulatory Affairs, Contracts, Facilities & Real Estate, Lab Operations, Quality and Continuous Improvement, and Procurement.
Mr. Williams has 26 years of experience in the commercial nuclear industry and has spent the last 15 years developing new nuclear power plant designs, with an emphasis on safety. Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lynchburg and a Professional Engineer license.

Josh Jacobs
VP, Clean Energy Strategy & Planning
Puget Sound Energ
Josh joined PSE in 1998 and has held many roles across the company, including customer service, procurement, energy supply operations, grid operations, and transmission services. Prior to his current role, Josh held several key executive leadership roles at PSE including as PSE’s director of load serving operations where he was responsible for grid operations and transmission services, as director of business integration where he led the implementation of the PSE customer transformation initiative called Get to Zero, and as the director of generation and transmission development where he delivered on infrastructure development opportunities for PSE.
Josh is currently the vice-chair of the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee and sits on the board of the Northwest Gas Association. He is a graduate of Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Tom Bugert
Senior Director of State & Local Affairs
Helion Energy
Tom Bugert is the Senior Director of State and Local Affairs at Helion Energy, a fusion energy company headquartered in Everett, Washington. Tom has many years of experience in public policy and government relations, having previously served as State Government Affairs Manager for REI Co-op, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and State Government Affairs Director for The Nature Conservancy of Washington.
Tom also serves as Vice President of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and as a board member of the Clean Tech Alliance and the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition. A Wenatchee native and Whitman College graduate, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his two young children and exploring the natural beauty of Washington State.

Jay Arnold
Councilmember for City of Kirkland
Panel Moderator
Jay has served on the City Council since 2014 and as the former Deputy Mayor for ten years. He was a founding member of the King County - Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) leadership and outreach team and served on PSE’s Beyond Net Zero Advisory Committee alongside Josh Jacobs, PSE’s CEO, Mary Kipp, and former Governor Christine Gregoire.
Key Takeaways
01
How Washington's clean energy transition impacts businesses and communities
02
The role of wind, solar, battery energy storage, and natural gas today
03
The future potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and fusion energy
04
Opportunities and challenges facing utilities as demand continues to grow
Whether you're deeply involved in energy or simply want to understand what's ahead, this conversation is for you. This event is designed to be informative, accessible, and forward-looking; no technical background required.
What Others Are Saying
"Networking, celebrating, and learning lots. #welovechambers #welovecommunity"
Nicole Denham-Wang, Denham-Wang Agency on Instagram
"The Kirkland Chamber has been nothing but amazing and wonderful with a strong community connection."
Jennifer Berns, Mastor Recruiting & Consulting
"Excited to attend our first Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce event at the beautiful Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington. Looking forward to building new relationships in the community and getting more involved!"
Brittany Baumgart, Courtyard by Marriott Kirkland on Linkedin
Thank You to Our Sponsors

Washington's Energy Future is being shaped right now
Join us to learn how innovation, infrastructure, and policy are coming together to power a clean, reliable future, and what it means for our region moving forward.

