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.
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.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about the Power Plan, why it matters, and how you can get involved.
What is the Northwest Regional 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.
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
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.
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-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.
Timeline
Note: More public hearings will be scheduled soon in each of the four Northwest states. We'll post them as soon as they are available.
NWEC 9th Power Plan Webinar 1
Coming Soon: Webinar 2
Connect With Us
For questions, or to learn more, please reach out to Fred Heutte, Senior Policy Associate, at fred@nwenergy.org.