Posts by Alicia Healey
New Pilot Unlocks Deep Energy Efficiency in Buildings
For the first time, an electric utility is testing a 20-year model to purchase metered energy efficiency savings. The agreement between Seattle City Light and the Bullitt Foundation is designed to make deep energy efficiency in new and existing commercial buildings economically feasible…
Read MoreBillings Gazette – Program focuses on energy savings as a business goal
A pilot program in Eastern Montana is attempting to make managing energy costs a systematic part of company business planning, on par with other priorities like safety training. The program is a joint effort of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance of Portland, Ore., and NorthWestern Energy. NEAA conducted the first programs in cities in Washington and Oregon, then turned to Montana.
Read more: billingsgazette.com
Read MoreInslee and Kitzhaber can lead a Columbia resolution – Editorials – The Olympian
For 12 years, Washington and Oregon have been on opposite sides of the Columbia Basin salmon deadlock. But Washington’s new governor, Jay Inslee, is the right leader at the right time to partner with Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber so the two states can lead the Northwest to shared and lasting solutions for salmon, energy and agriculture.
Read MorePhotos from the 2013 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Boise
The Coalition’s NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference was held on May 31 – June 1 in Boise, Idaho. The conference focused on the region’s greatest clean energy opportunities and challenges and featured experts from Idaho and across the Northwest. Follow the link to see photos of some of the highlights of the Conference.
Read MoreBoise talk show focuses on Coalition's May 31 conference
NW Energy Coalition executive director Sara Patton and former Coalition chair Ken Miller of Idaho’s Snake River Alliance discussed the upcoming NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on the “Building a Greener Idaho” program on Radio Boise, KRBX 89.9 FM. The show is produced by the US Green Building Council Idaho Chapter, and USGBC-Idaho executive director Charlie Woodruff anchored the program. Listen online…
Read MoreThe Spokesman-Review Guest Opinion: Clean energy incentives keep spurring growth
Seven years ago, Washington voters made the smart choice to invest in the state by supporting renewable energy. Washington voters passed Initiative 937, which created a clean energy standard. The law requires the state’s large electric utilities to incrementally increase their electricity from new renewable resources to 15 percent by 2020. This choice has paid off.
But, there are those in the Legislature who would dismiss this success by weakening the voter-backed initiative in a way that removes smart incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy…
Read the full opinion online at The Spokesman-Review
Read MoreIdaho Statesman Reader's View, Idaho Power: Company needs to explain coal decision
Rocky Barker got it right in his April 30 column: Idaho Power faces profound changes in how it does business.
Burning coal to make electricity, for instance. As Idacorp shareholders convene Thursday for the company’s annual meeting, they face an urgent question not on their agenda. As utilities nationwide shed coal plants due to what Idaho Power says is coal’s uncertain future, why is it doubling down on coal?
Read more at the Idaho Statesman
Read MoreCelebration, film showings honor Headwaters Award winners
A pair of leaders who played pivotal roles in restoring two great Northwest rivers have received prestigious Headwaters Awards from the NW Energy Coalition.
Former American Rivers northwest regional director Katherine Ransel and Seattle Audubon Society executive director Shawn Cantrell were honored at an April 24 celebration at Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum. Some 50 clean energy supporters attended the festive event, which was co-sponsored by the Save Our wild Salmon coalition.
Read MoreBusinesses urge Wash. Governor Inslee to extend renewable sales and use tax exemption
Thirteen renewable energy companies and advocacy groups issued a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee today urging support of Senate Bill 5896. If passed, the bill would extend the renewable sales and use tax exemption, which has provided a tangible incentive for clean energy businesses to locate their projects in the state. The policy will otherwise expire in June.
Read MoreIdaho energy updates from Coalition member Snake River Alliance
Idaho Power received a surprise earlier this month when its majority partner in its Nevada coal plants announced plans to get out of the coal generation business, customers just received the bad news from Idaho Power that their rates will rise this summer due in part to poor river flows and power generation and more news inside…
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