Efficiency Works!
Washington Future Energy Conference coming in October
October 18-19, 2011 – Once again incorporating the Washington State Energy Summit, this unique gathering offers a forum to connect those developing strategies for energy security and economic development with the businesses making it happen.
The status quo vs a cleaner energy future
If things continue as they are now, a new report concludes, by 2050 the Western states will be using a lot more coal-fired power and natural gas than they would if companies invested the same amount of money in renewables, energy conservation and a more flexible grid.
NW Energy Coalition and Save Our Wild Salmon Comments on the Draft Climate Change Summary Report
The NW Energy Coalition (“Coalition”) and the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition (“SOS”) appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Draft Climate Change Summary Report released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration.
BPA EE Overspend NWEC Comments
The following are NWEC’s comments in response to the BPA draft proposal “Proposed Approach for EEI Budget Adjustments and Scenario Results Due to Energy Efficiency FY2011 Capital Overspend.”
Executive Board Caucus Report Highlights — Aug. 18, 2011
Each month, we post the updates from the state and provincial caucus reports. Solar street credits in ID, massive new coal mine has begun test drilling in MT, PacifiCorp’s latest integrated resources plan and Puget Sound Energy seeks new resources in WA…
Columbia River salmon plans: The judge is not amused
The Seattle Times Editorial page weighs in on Judge Redden’s ruling. U.S. District Court Judge James Redden issued a 24-page ruling Tuesday that slapped down another federal plan for operating the economic interests of the Columbia and Snake rivers, while working to save endangered fish.
Federal Judge Rules for Columbia and Snake River Salmon
U.S. District Court Judge James Redden ruled today that the NOAA Fisheries Service again failed to produce a legal and scientific plan to protect imperiled Columbia-Snake River salmon from harm caused by the operation of federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Today’s court action – which has been ongoing for almost a decade – is a landmark decision for fishing and conservation groups, the state of Oregon and the Nez Perce and Spokane tribes, all of which have opposed the federal biological opinion, or BiOp, in court.
Industrial efficiency program nets national honor for NEEA
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) as one of its 2011 “Champions of Energy Efficiency in Industry.”
According to ACEEE’s news release, the honor recognizes NEEA’s efforts in designing innovative industrial energy efficiency programs, and for collaborating with Northwest industrial customers in transforming the market for industrial energy efficiency.
Report: House committee holds work session on potential changes to Initiative 937
Washington state’s House Environment Committee held an interim work session on I-937 on Tuesday, July 26. Chair Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines), Ranking Minority Member Shelly Short (R-Addy) and fellow Reps. Larry Crouse (R-Spokane), Steve Tharinger (D-Sequim) and Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) attended. Howard Schwartz of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council gave the committee a brief…
Executive Board Caucus Report Highlights — July 21, 2011
Each month, we post the updates presented to our Executive Board from the state and provincial caucus reports.
In this edition: BC carbon tax popular, working, Avista request alarms clean energy supporters in ID, More condemnations filed against landowners on MATL route in MT, OR’s Boardman coal-plant pollution lawsuit settled and Legislative committee takes up I-937 in WA.
Efficiency Works! Case Studies
All this talk about energy efficiency can, to the skeptical ear, sound like so much happy talk. Really, can something as simple as changing lights or adding insulation actually make a meaningful difference in my business’ financial performance?
Well, in a word, yes. Investments big and small can have an outsized impact on the amount you spend on energy.
Salmon Group Wades Into Pacific Northwest Curtailment Battle
A group of salmon advocates is siding with wind developers in their battle against system operator Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
High seasonal river flows resulting from runoff from large snowpacks caused an overabundance of hydropower and left no room on the grid to accommodate wind power. This led the BPA to curtail wind production this spring, which angered wind developers and prompted them to file a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in June.