Clean & Affordable Energy Conference Digest – Fall 2024

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the NW Energy Coalition hosted over 200 attendees at our fall Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Seattle, WA. We featured three panel discussions on balancing energy affordability as we decarbonize, exploring opportunities to further advance Tribal-led energy development, and achieving a new governance structure that opens the opportunity for a unified Western energy market.

This year, we also broke out into smaller groups for a Table Top discussion. These smaller groups convened and spoke with one another about advancing an equitable clean energy transition and how to break down silos across non-energy sectors like housing, water, community resilience  to create stronger solutions.

Opening Remarks: Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light

Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light, kicked off the day with opening remarks. She gave the audience a snapshot of City Light’s service territory, statistics on the population served, and the mix of current power generation resources. She then described the forecasted growth in electricity demand and the need for new zero carbon energy resources. She also gave an overview of recent rising power prices and reasons behind them. Her presentation ended with a discussion of the challenges Seattle faces as it works to maintain a balance among growing population, using clean energy and maintaining affordability.

Panel 1: Energy Affordability in the Time of Decarbonization

Moderator: Alessandra de la Torre, NW Energy Coalition

Panelists:

• Jennifer Hill-Hart, Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board
• John Hoffman, Snohomish PUD
• Michelle Scala, Oregon Public Utility Commission
• Shaylee Stokes, The Energy Project

Panelists highlighted challenges in balancing affordability in the context of decarbonization. They discussed how the era of low energy costs has ended, driven by inflation on essential grid assets and increased demand, particularly from energy-intensive industries like cryptocurrency and data centers. These changes lead to higher bills, which are felt disproportionately by low-income customers.

Panelists proposed several immediate solutions to mitigate rising bills, including targeted monthly discounts and arrearage relief for struggling customers. The conversation also touched on the need for a robust data collection system tailored to marginalized communities, as well as the importance of tiered discount programs offered by utilities. The panelists acknowledged that multiple rate increases complicate budgeting for consumers. There is a need for a reasonable return on equity (ROE) for investor-owned utilities, balancing the necessities of access to capital with the imperative to protect vulnerable customers.

Recurring themes in the discussion included the impacts of extreme weather events, the challenges posed by equity in energy access, and the need for disconnection protections for customers facing financial hardship.  

The panelists shared a commitment to centering customer needs and ensuring that the transition to a clean energy future does not come at the expense of affordability. They recognized the complexity of these issues, stressing the importance of strategic funding in assistance programs to bridge the gap for affordability for all consumers. 

Panel 2: Tribal Energy Development in the Northwest

Moderator: Nancy Hirsh, NW Energy Coalition

Panelists:

• Eriq Acosta, Spark Northwest
• Chas Jones, PICEA Consulting Group

Panelists discussed how Tribal communities are embracing clean energy and how they are working in consulting capacities with Tribes to support potential projects and efforts to invest in energy sovereignty. To understand how to further energy development among Tribes, it’s valuable to understand the challenges.

For Tribes to continue building on their portfolio of clean energy projects, education and workplace development within Tribal communities in the clean energy sector are crucial. Investing in workplace development would lead to expertise and long-term sustainable jobs in the clean energy sector staying within Tribal communities. In order for Tribes to hire for a longer term, though, there needs to be stable and ongoing sources of funding.

Capacity (staff, knowledge, money) within Tribes is a challenge. Whereas there is increased access to grants, financing and technical assistance from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Tribes are often challenged by lack of staff with grantwriting and project management experience, as well as clean energy experience.  Most government grants only fund projects on the ground, and it would be helpful long-term if they also supported capacity building, workforce development and technical support.

In working with Tribes on projects, panelists stressed the value of putting in the time and work to build trust and relationships, learn the landscapes and people, take the time to show up. Addressing these challenges would increase Tribes’ abilities to manifest energy sovereignty.

Panel 3: A New Era for Electricity Markets in the West

Moderator: Ben Otto, NW Energy Coalition

Panelists:

• Pam Sporborg, Portland General Electric
• Mary Wiencke, Public Generating Pool
• Laura Hersch, FERC

Utilities across the West are considering two regional electricity market options to greatly improve the ability to control energy costs, increase reliability, and integrate more clean energy sources. The goal for a single Western electricity trading market is for utilities, independent power, and large customers to be able to reach across the Western landscape to find the lowest-cost resources available to meet local needs and optimize existing assets. However, the governance structure for each option has important differences that will impact the value customers receive. 

Panelists covered the two options. One is the Extended Day Ahead Market (EDAM) developed by Western interests and built upon the successful Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) operated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). The WEIM covers 80% of energy supplies and has delivered over $6 billion in benefits by enabling more efficient trading of extra resources between power providers. The other option, Markets+, is a project of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a consortium of Midwest utilities based in Arkansas. SPP and Western interests developed the Markets+ proposal independently of the CAISO backdrop. From the perspectives of distinct interests – an investor-owned utility, publicly owned utility, and regulatory agency – the panelists discussed the importance of building new structures in the West to benefit customers and the differences in governance structure for each option.

Panelists also discussed a new proposal to address the core issue of creating a Western energy market that is independent of any one state or participant. The Pathways Initiative, in which NWEC is an active participant, proposes to separate the EDAM and WEIM from CAISO by creating a new, independent entity to govern this electricity trading option. A key feature of the Pathways proposal is strong protections for the public interest compared to any other option. For example, the panelist from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Public Participation described how they educate and empower interested parties to participate in market governance. The Pathways proposal includes a similar office for the new entity to help in governing the EDAM and WEIM markets.

Northwest electric utilities, including the Bonneville Power Administration, face a major decision that will set the trajectory for electricity trading in the West.  While both options are likely to improve the ability to control costs and integrate clean energy, the panelists highlighted the need to closely examine the full economic benefits and for good governance structures to balance the differing policies across Western states and protect the public interests.

Table Top Discussion

This year, we added a new component to our conference – an interactive Table Top Discussion. Attendees broke into small groups of eight or so people per table among 26 tables to discuss experience, goals and hopes in breaking down silos among the various entities represented at the conference – NGOs, government agencies, businesses, utilities, Tribes – to work together toward creating an equitable clean energy transition. Each person in the room contributed knowledge, expertise, questions and dialogue to addressing climate impacts on communities and approaching our challenges in an intersectional nature. Based on feedback and comments in the event surveys, attendees were resoundingly in favor of continuing to carry on the break out discussions at future conferences. We thank everyone for their participation.

Save the date for the NW Energy Coalition’s spring 2025 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Missoula on Wednesday, May 7, 2025!