Posts by Alicia Healey
News Tribune: State Senate moving backward on 3 fronts, says Inslee
Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee waded into the legislative fray Wednesday with his most pointed comments so far in state lawmakers’ 25-day-old session, taking aim squarely at ideas put forward by the Republican-dominated Senate majority.
“I’m very concerned that the Senate already has gone backwards on two areas,” the Democratic governor said, citing workers’ compensation and clean energy…
Read more online at The News Tribune
Read MoreStatement by executive director Sara Patton on the appointment of new BPA Administrator
The NW Energy Coalition congratulates Bill Drummond for being named as Bonneville Power Administration’s next administrator. BPA is critical to our region’s prosperity, and its leadership affects families, businesses and communities throughout the Northwest.
We have high hopes that the new administrator will draw on his extensive public power experience while working to serve the broad public interest…
Read MoreWashington policy analyst Murray honored for energy efficiency efforts
Chuck Murray, senior energy policy analyst for the Washington State Department of Commerce, has been honored by the NW Energy Coalition for his years of dedicated public service in support of energy efficiency. The award cites his leadership in implementing state energy policies including the Clean Energy Act (I-937), the Efficiency First legislation, appliance efficiency standards, the state energy strategy and the Governor’s Climate Action Team recommendations.
Read MoreCelebrating Washington's Clean Energy Success
Voters passed Initiative 937 in 2006 to build on Washington’s clean energy heritage. At the time, new renewable energy made up less than 1% of the region’s electricity mix, even though new renewables would reduce risks and boost our economy. Six years after its passage, I-937 is doing exactly what Washington voters wanted. Official utility…
Read MorePuget Sound Energy’s latest wind-power project, the Lower Snake River Wind Facility
PSE’s newest and largest wind-power operation is the Lower Snake River Wind Facility. Located in Southeast Washington near Pomeroy, Garfield County, this energy project builds on the success of our Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility in adjacent Columbia County, and our Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Kittitas County. Completed in early 2012, the Lower Snake River project contains 149 wind turbines that produce up to 343 megawatts of renewable energy. On average, the facility generates enough electricity to power 100,000 homes
Read MoreWA environmental community announces its 2013 legislative priorities
Clean energy, toxic-free couches and kids’ products, and more funding for projects that protect the environment will be on legislators’ agendas for the 2013 legislative session in Olympia as Washington State’s Environmental Priorities Coalition announced its 2013 Priorities. These three Priorities are critical in protecting the state’s quality of life, creating Washington grown jobs, and preserving a better future for our children.
Read MoreCoalition lauds new federal approach to recovering endangered Columbia Basin salmon
Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sent a letter to hundreds of stakeholders in the ongoing struggle to restore several wild salmon stocks endangered by the federal hydropower system in the Northwest.
The letter heralds a new approach by federal agencies to the myriad issues involved in Columbia Basin salmon recovery…
Read MoreCoalition-presented energy efficiency and renewable energy events highlight where we are and where we’re going
Dec. 4, 2012, was a busy day for Seattle-area clean energy advocates. In two packed events co-hosted by the NW Energy Coalition, community members came together to delve deeply into critical energy efficiency and new clean renewable energy topics.
Read MoreNWEC adds four new member organizations at Portland conference
NWEC is proud to welcome four new member organizations that were approved at the Coalition’s Fall 2012 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland.
The board unanimously accepted the addition of four new members: Sustainable Connections, Sea Breeze Power Corp., Washington Chapter of Sierra Club, and City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment. These new members bring a wealth of expertise in sustainable economic development, environmental advocacy, energy efficiency and renewable energy to the Coalition’s work.
Read MoreOver 140 clean energy experts and advocates flock to Portland
Some 140 clean energy experts and advocates from across the region flocked to Portland Nov. 9-10 for the highly successful Fall 2012 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland. Those attending the NW Energy Coalition’s twice-yearly conference and board meeting were treated to a stirring keynote address and several challenging and meaty panel discussions.
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