Efficiency Works!
Flexible demand webinar explores potential of customer-side technologies as an energy resource
Welcome to a conversation with Geoff Wickes, Jeff Harris, Conrad Eustis, and Tony Koch about how grid-integrated water heaters and other customer-side technologies can contribute to electric system efficiency and reduce the need for additional generations resources. The session runs about 90 minutes. It was recorded on July 1st, 2020. The moderator is Fred Heutte,…
Read MoreAdvancing energy efficiency during the COVID-19 crisis
A new analysis finds that, in March, the economic crisis associated with the coronavirus pandemic resulted in over 106,000 workers who are employed by clean energy businesses such as solar installers, wind developers, and energy efficiency-related businesses, losing their jobs. Layoffs continued in April and could eventually number more than 500,000, or about 15% of the nation’s 3.4 million clean energy workers. The energy…
Read MoreIntro to new Washington Buildings Performance Standards
Implementing the Clean Buildings for Washington Act The Washington State Department of Commerce has finalized the rules for the Clean Buildings Act. Information on how to comply and other technical assistance is available on the Commerce webpage. The 2019 session of the Washington State Legislature enacted House Bill 1257, the Clean Buildings for Washington Act.…
Read MoreClean energy on a roll in Washington legislature
Buildings and Appliance bills pass WA Senate Climate bills on a winning streak in Olympia The Washington legislature is well on its way to passing an unprecedented body of climate legislation that will, when fully enacted, address nearly every major source of climate pollution, including the electric system, the transportation sector, buildings, and appliances. At…
Read MoreWA House passes 100% Clean Electricity
Today, SB 5116, the 100% Clean Electricity bill, passed the Washington House of Representatives by a vote of 56-42.The bill will now go back to the Senate, which has already passed a slightly different version, for concurrence. When finally enacted, SB 5116 will put Washington’s electric system on a path to become free of carbon…
Read MoreDouble Squeeze: Arctic Express, system constraints skyrocket NW wholesale energy prices
More clean energy solutions, less reliance on gas needed to meet peak energy needs When discussing electric system affordability and reliability, natural gas is often portrayed as a guarantor of both. But, since the beginning of February, when Northwest temperatures dropped to near record lows, wholesale natural gas prices skyrocketed, causing serious disruption for gas-fired…
Read MoreWA Senate committee hears testimony on Clean Buildings bill
State emission goals depend on clean buildings SB 5293 will make homes and buildings more efficient and stimulate jobs Olympia, WA – Washington can’t meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals unless we reduce emissions from buildings. That was the message delivered today to the Washington Senate Environment, Energy, & Technology committee by businesses and environmental…
Read MoreWater heaters: a potent weapon in the fight against climate change
We may have, hiding in our basements and garages , a clean energy resource that has the power to erase the need for new gas-fired power plants in the Northwest. That’s one implication of a new report on grid-integrated water heaters (GIWH) from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and its partners, the Northwest Energy Efficiency…
Read MoreNo time to retreat on energy efficiency: Part 2
Last week, part 1 of this post focused on the Northwest’s impending shortfall in meeting 7th Power Plan goals for energy efficiency as well as plans by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to cut funding for energy efficiency efforts by 10% in 2020 and 2021. That news comes against the backdrop of efforts by the Trump…
Read MoreOregon can become a leader in energy efficient building
In Oregon, House Bill 2710 will help the state reform building codes in ways that: Reduce energy bills for owners and renters Make the air cleaner and temperatures more comfortable in homes and buildings Slash carbon and greenhouse gas emissions Oregon benefitted environmentally and economically by becoming a leader in energy efficient, green building. House Bill 2710…
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