An efficiency-first approach to transmission 

Transmission lines are critical to our energy system, capable of shuttling electricity vast distances from where it’s generated to where it’s consumed. Over the past 40 years, energy efficiency has helped to avoid the need for new transmission projects. A coming wave of electrification and other load growth that will largely be powered by solar,…

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Pathways Initiative’s Step One Proposal for Governance of a West-Wide Energy Market 

A single, unified energy market in the West is essential to unlock the clean energy resource potential of the West, enable efficient use of our infrastructure, and maintain a reliable and affordable energy system. The West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative is a collaborative, multi-step effort to create this connected, independently governed Western energy market, as discussed…

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The path for gas utility decarbonization in Washington state 

The transition from gas to electricity is well underway in Washington state in response to both climate change and bold state policies designed to address it. State climate policies set progressive targets, like the Clean Energy Transformation Act requiring 80% of electric utilities’ resources to be clean (renewable or non-emitting) by 2030 and 100% clean…

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Clean & Affordable Energy Conference Digest – Spring 2024

The NW Energy Coalition hosted our Spring conference in Boise, ID this year. Speakers discussed next steps in salmon recovery in the Columbia basin, new opportunities in markets and transmission, and protecting consumers as the region decarbonizes. Find a summary of the discussions below, but first, a thank you to our sponsors who made this…

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Pathways Initiative addresses the key challenge to a West-wide electricity market 

This blog post discusses the latest developments in creating a single, unified West-wide market – essential for keeping rates affordable, improving reliability, and meeting our clean energy and decarbonization goals. For an introduction to energy markets, we highly recommend checking out our Markets Month series (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3).  Pathways Initiative addresses…

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