Press Release: Efficiency First Passes

The Washington State Legislature last night approved a bill to dramatically improve energy efficiency in buildings throughout the state. Now headed for Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk, SB 5854 would gradually raise standards for new building construction, while improving energy efficiency in existing public buildings through insulation, better windows and improved heating and cooling systems. [PDF]

Read More

NPCC 6th Northwest Power Plan Background

Every five years, the Northwest’s official power planning agency – the Northwest Power and Conservation Council — conducts a fresh assessment of the region’s long-term electricity needs and issues a blueprint for meeting them.

Read More

The Transformer – A bridge to somewhere? Natural gas, LNG and our clean energy future

More and more utilities are rushing to substitute gas-fired combustion turbines for coal in their resource plans while rapidly expanding their use of renewables and efficiency. But are the assumptions behind this change correct? The new rush to gas is raising serious questions about domestic and international supply, price and price volatility, and lifecycle carbon emissions. This edition of The Transformer addresses those questions and considers the controversy surrounding liquefied natural gas.

Read More

Energy Matters Update

Every five years, the Northwest’s official power planning agency — the Northwest Power and Conservation Council — conducts a fresh assessment of the region’s long-term electricity needs and issues a blueprint for meeting them.

Read More