RADIO | The power struggle: Rep. Stephanie Barnard joins KONA Radio to talk about nuclear energy and the fight for a stronger grid

February 19, 2026

Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, joins KONA Radio to talk about the future of nuclear energy in Washington and the legislative hurdles facing her push for advanced reactor technology.

Barnard provides a candid behind-the-scenes look at the rise and sudden stall of House Bill 2090, explaining how a single news headline shifted the momentum of a bill she spent years building support for in Olympia. She also breaks down the urgent need for a more robust power grid as data centers flock to the region, arguing that renewables alone cannot meet the state’s growing energy demands.

The discussion concludes with a call to action regarding House Bill 1210, a crucial tax incentive bill currently moving through the Senate that could bring major generation projects to the Tri-Cities.