Help Plan the Northwest's Energy Future

Amid rising temperatures, lower snowpack, high-tech growth, and clean energy acceleration, we are in a pivotal moment for the Northwest's energy future. This summer and fall, we have an opportunity to share our voices to ensure we choose clean, affordable, and reliable resources that protect our communities and environment. As the 9th Northwest Regional Power Plan takes shape, your participation can help build a smarter, fairer energy system for the decades to come.

What is the Power Plan?

The Northwest Regional Power Plan is a 20-year plan from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council that aims to ensure an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply for the region while mitigating adverse effects on fish and wildlife. The plan is updated every five years, and it steers how BPA and regional decision makers choose the resources needed to meet the Northwest’s electricity demand.

Why does it matter?

The Northwest is facing skyrocketing energy demand over the next 20 years, and data centers and high-tech growth are the biggest factor. This future energy demand is higher than conservation can cover the growth of. We need to make sure that the majority of new resources that are built to fill the resource adequacy gap are clean, affordable, and reliable in order to protect people, fish and wildlife, and the planet.

Since our founding more than four decades ago, the NW Energy Coalition has been concerned about affordability and it is even more of a priority with the prospect of rapid demand growth and power costs. We have the opportunity to build a better future in the region and not repeat past mistakes. We need to take advantage of this critical moment to get it right, and we’ll guide you through the process to make sure your voice is heard.

How can I help?

As part of the planning process, the Council seeks feedback from different stakeholders, from the public to state agencies to utilities, to consider their opinions and needs before issuing the final version of the Plan. Once the draft plan is released this summer, you can submit written comments online and participate in public comment hearings across the region. The draft plan is expected in mid-July, with a 60-day comment period running through mid-September. We'll post the schedule for public hearings in each of the four Northwest states (Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) as soon as it's available. We'll also be sharing a comment toolkit that can guide you through the process of submitting your comments and some language you can use.

By participating in the process, we have the power to ensure that our future in the Northwest is built on clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

Download our fact sheet to learn more about the Power Plan, why it matters, and how you can get involved.

DOWNLOAD OUR 9TH POWER PLAN FACT SHEET

What is the Northwest Regional Power Plan?

The 9th plan has been in development since 2025 and the draft plan will be released in summer 2026, with a final version expected by the end of the year.

History of the Plan

In 1980, Congress passed the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act in response to a series of issues related to energy forecasting, planning, and environmental protection. In 1981, The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was established. This interstate agency has eight members, two from each Northwest state (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington), and it is in charge of developing the Northwest Power Plan and the Fish and Wildlife Program and advances its implementation. The power plan has served as a primary source of information on energy demand, supply, and resources for the Northwest region since 1983.

The Urgency

Our Priorities

How You Can Help

As part of the planning process, the Council seeks feedback from different stakeholders, from the public to state agencies to utilities, to consider their opinions and needs before issuing the final version of the Plan. Once the draft plan is released this summer, you can submit written comments online and participate in public comment hearings across the region. The draft plan is expected in mid-August, with a 60-day comment period running through mid-October. We'll post the schedule for public hearings in each of the four Northwest states (Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) as soon as it's available. We'll also be sharing a comment toolkit that can guide you through the process of submitting your comments and some language you can use.

By participating in the process, we have the power to ensure that our future in the Northwest is built on clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

How to Submit Comments on the Plan

The public comment period is open from mid-August through Friday, October 16, 2026. There are multiple ways you can submit comments. We encourage you to share comments in person if possible for maximum impact, but any way that you can make your voice heard matters.

Comment In Person

You can show up at any of the following Council meetings and public comment forums in your area and comment on the plan in person.
Council Meetings. The Council will be meeting once a month during the comment period, and part of the meeting will be open for the public to attend and make comments.
-September 9-10 Portland, Oregon
-October 14-15 Donnelly, Idaho

Public Comment Hearings. There are seven scheduled public forums throughout the region during the comment period where you can attend in person and make comments. You can also join the meeting via webinar to make comments (instructions listed in the link for each city). More will be added here as the Council makes further announcements:

Portland, Oregon
- 4:30 - 6:30 pm Wednesday, September 9
- Council Central Office, 851 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1100
- One week prior, you can register to attend the meeting online here
Spokane, Washington
- 4-6 pm Monday, September 14
- Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- 4:30 - 6:30pm PT. Monday, September 14
- Idaho Fish and Game Office, 2885 W Kathleen Ave, Ste 1
The Dalles, Oregon
- 4:30-6:30pm PT Tuesday, September 29,
- Columbia Gorge Discovery Center MJ Murdock Theater, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR
Seattle, Washington
- 4-6 pm Wednesday, October 7
- Seattle University, Oberto Commons, Sinegal Room 200
Idaho Falls, Idaho
- 4:30-6:30 MST, Tuesday, October 6
- Idaho Fish and Game Office, 4279 Commerce Circle
Missoula, Montana
- 4:30 - 6:30pm MST, Monday, October 5
- Edgewater, Bitterroot/Blackfoot Room, 100 Madison St.
One virtual meeting
- 4-6 p.m. Thursday, October 1
- Register here
- If you plan to comment, make sure to send your name ahead of time to meetingorganizer@nwcouncil.org

Comment Virtually

You can submit your comments online any time during the comment period via the Council’s website: https://projects.nwcouncil.org/powerplan

Sample Messaging

Download our comment toolkit to see some sample messaging you can use to comment.

Speak in your own voice about the issues you care about. The Council will get many technical comments. They also need to hear directly why a clean energy future is important to you. You do not need to be an expert in any area. The Council knows it is a public agency and should listen to people’s everyday experiences. Use these points in your written or verbal comments and tailor them to your own personalized message.

Download the Comment Toolkit