Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2023)

Robert E. "Bob" Schuetz

Chief Executive Officer

Energy Northwest

Bob Schuetz became CEO of Energy Northwest in August 2021 after serving as site vice president since 2018. He joined Energy Northwest as Maintenance manager in 2013 and was promoted to plant general manager for Columbia Generating Station in 2014. Before joining Energy Northwest, he served as a plant evaluation team leader for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), concluding his INPO tenure on a reverse-loan assignment to Energy Northwest.

Bob is a 28-year U.S. Navy veteran who retired from service as the deputy commander and chief of staff for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force where he oversaw more than 7,000 service members operating 36 ships from four bases. During his career he served as Commanding Officer of the attack submarine USS Hyman G Rickover.Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University and a master’s in economics from the University of Oklahoma, as well as senior reactor operator management certificates from Energy Northwest and Westinghouse. Energy Northwest develops, owns and operates a diverse mix of electricity generating resources, including hydro, solar, battery storage and wind projects – and the Northwest’s only nuclear power facility. These projects provide carbon-free electricity at the cost of generation – enough clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to power more than a million homes each year. As an independent joint operating agency of Washington state, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million customers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.