Events
Oregon Future Energy Conference: April 22, 2014
Returning for its eighth year, this is a conference for all those working to build the clean energy economy, including members of the energy industry, energy end-users,policy makers, and economic development professionals – providing an exceptional forum for learning, networking, and business development. Content covers policy and economic development; the business of renewable energy; the business of energy efficiency; and energy sector highlights. The conference is presented by the Northwest Environmental Business Council.
Editorial: Latest salmon deal is disappointing (again)
The Daily Astorian editorial describes how the most recent biological opinion (bi-op) produced by NOAA Fisheries on behalf of the Bonneville Power Administration lacks broad stakeholder input and fails to protect endangered salmon. The editorial also purports that the bi-op disregards strategies for returning Columbia River to a more natural state.
Op-Ed: Coal's time is over
The MagicValley.com op-ed by Mary McGown asserts that Idaho Power needs to work aggressively for clean and affordable electricity. McGown maintains that achieving a coal-free, energy-efficient future will require changes by the utility and possibly in state law and regulations.
Idaho Energy Update, February 3
This month’s Idaho Energy Update covers the State of Idaho’s stance opposing tougher federal emissions standards, the Idaho PUC’s refusal to reconsider a solar power developer’s case against Idaho Power, and more. The Energy Update also provides helpful information regarding upcoming energy-related events and meetings in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.
Protect and advance our clean energy law!
The voter-approved Clean Energy Initiative, I-937, has created thousands of jobs and generated over $8 billion in new renewable energy investments. It is also our No. 1 tool for reducing climate change emissions to state-mandated levels. Take action to oppose changes to I-937!
Federal agencies squander chance for progress on Northwest salmon
The NOAA Fisheries plan for endangered Columbia and Snake River salmon fails to address the issues that triggered federal-court rejections of three previous plans. The plan, called a biological opinion, fails to help salmon, does not incorporate broad stakeholder input, and ignores climate change impacts.
Idaho Energy Update, Jan. 13
The latest Idaho Energy Update from Snake River Alliance’s Ken Miller addresses Idaho Power’s flagging commitment to energy efficiency and its continuing opposition to wind power. This edition of the Idaho Energy update contains articles regarding Idaho Power’s energy efficiency programs, its qualms about wind generation, and footage of the bus that crashed into its headquarters.
NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference
Please save the date for the NW Energy Coalition’s Spring 2014 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Helena, Montana on May 2 & 3. The conference will feature speakers, panels, and networking opportunities with clean energy experts and advocates from around the region.
The Oregonian guest opinion: Will 2013 be the year coal died?
The real energy story of 2013 may turn out to be the death of coal.
That’s still a little premature, but consider: Ten years ago some 120 new coal power plants were in the siting and financing pipeline. Today, nearly all have been abandoned.
Thirty per cent of existing coal plants, representing nearly 20 percent of U.S. coal generating capacity, have been terminated or announced near-term closure dates. Coal’s share of U.S. power generation has dropped from 53 percent in 2000 to 37 percent today.
BPA wins Platts Global Energy Award for grid optimization
BPA wins a prestigious award for its build out of the largest, most sophisticated synchrophasor network in North America.
The Bonneville Power Administration’s development of the most sophisticated synchrophasor network in North America landed the agency its first ever Platts Global Energy Award, the most coveted awards in the energy industry.
Guest opinion: Columbia River plan fails to protect salmon
Sam Mace’s guest opinion article in the Spokesman-Review highlights the shortcomings of the most recent draft Biological Opinion proposed by federal agencies regarding endangered Columbia River salmon. Mace remarks that the final plan should include an analysis of lower Snake River dam removal, provisions for an enhanced spill test, and climate change considerations.
“The best fall chinook salmon run in years has made this a banner season for Columbia Basin anglers. River towns, outfitters, shops and motels throughout our region have shared in this unexpected bounty. Unfortunately, the news about many of our region’s other salmon and steelhead populations is far less encouraging. And the future for all the basin’s endangered wild salmon remains very much in doubt.”
Montana Attorney General should seek more facts, not less
In a Helena Independent Record column, Steve Charter, the newly elected chair of the Northern Plains Resource Council, describes how both Montana and Washington would benefit from a thorough review of the effects of a proposed coal port.
“Recently, Montana’s Attorney General sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Washington urging them not to study a proposed coal port’s impacts on Montana … [The] letter is in sharp contrast to the comments sent by several Montana towns, state legislators, public health boards, and more than 1,000 Montanans who asked that the impacts this coal port would have on Montana be included.”
Read more…