Engineering Student Explores Energy Challenges at AWB Summit
When more than 150 business and policy leaders gathered for the inaugural Energy Solutions Summit on October 30, Gonzaga University was at the table—represented by Interim Dean Jennifer Shepherd and Cooper Krossa ('26, electrical engineering).
Hosted near Seattle by the Association of Washington Business (AWB) and the Washington Roundtable, the summit launched the next phase of Washington in the Making 2040, a 15-year vision for the state’s economy.
Governor Bob Ferguson opened the event with a call to action: “Energy policy will drive our economic and environmental progress as a state.” That urgency was echoed throughout the day as speakers outlined the challenge ahead: electricity demand in Washington is projected to grow four times faster than historical rates, requiring double the power plant capacity by 2045 and 35,000 miles of new transmission lines.
Among the leaders shaping that conversation was Heather Rosentrater (’99, electrical engineering) Avista Corp. president & CEO. Rosentrater spoke on a panel titled "The Energy Generation: Removing Barriers and New Approaches," which explored strategies for accelerating clean energy development and overcoming infrastructure challenges.
Learning from Leaders
For Krossa, one of just 12 students statewide invited to attend, the experience was eye-opening—and inspiring.
“Coming into college, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go with my electrical engineering degree,” he reflected. “I just chose it because I thought the topics were interesting. But I knew I wanted to see my effect on the world—I wanted to contribute to positive change.”
That desire led him to focus on power systems. “Delivering power is one of the most basic building blocks of the modern world,” he said, noting that living without it would be economically and socially ruinous for the country. “Protecting and improving our ability to sustainably create and distribute energy is one of the most important challenges of our generation. Now we need more engineers working the problem than ever.”
Krossa noted the sector’s rapid evolution, driven by legislation like the Clean Energy Transformation Act, which aims for 100% clean energy by 2045, and rising demand from data centers and electric vehicles. Conversations with industry leaders reinforced the pace of change.
“Talking with Blaine French, an energy commodities expert at Shell, he expressed that in the last three years he has seen more change in the sector than in the previous 20—and it’s not slowing down,” he said.
Despite the daunting challenges, Krossa left the summit energized. “The stakes are high, but the goal of clean, reliable, scalable energy is worth the fight. I don’t know what the solutions will be or what the field will look like in ten years, but I’m excited to be part of it and make my mark.”
He expressed gratitude to those who made the opportunity possible: “I’d like to thank Noel Schulz, Dr. Shepherd, and Dr. Ji for this incredible experience.”