Homepage Banner

Justice, unity, change: A call for action

(Earlier today, NW Energy Coalition executive director Nancy Hirsh sent the following letter to the Coalition’s members.) Dear NW Energy Coalition members, I was concerned that Mr. Floyd’s senseless death, and all those before him, would get swept under the rug yet again. Now we see a massive collective response to systemic racism and the…

Continue reading Justice, unity, change: A call for action >> about Justice, unity, change: A call for action

Coalition recommends clean energy stimulus spending

To help Americans and businesses cope with the ​economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, the federal government is ​considering targeted investments into the US economy. ​In the immediate future, more funds need to be invested in bill assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help utility customers with growing unpaid balances. In…

Continue reading Coalition recommends clean energy stimulus spending >> about Coalition recommends clean energy stimulus spending

May 2020 Northwest Energy Update

May 2020 Northwest Energy Update NW Utilities’ COVID-19 Response The Coalition’s effort to persuade utilities to suspend service shut-offs during the coronavirus crisis has been quite successful, especially among the region’s largest utilities many of which are also increasing support for bill assistance and reconnecting those whose service may have been shut off before the…

Continue reading May 2020 Northwest Energy Update >> about May 2020 Northwest Energy Update

Panel explores paths to NW resource adequacy

As the Northwest electric system transitions away from fossil fuel resources, many are asking how utilities plan to meet future power needs.  On May 7, 2020, the NW Energy Coalition hosted a webinar exploring that question and others.  The webinar was moderated by Coalition Senior Policy Associate, Fred Heutte.  Joining him on the panel were…

Continue reading Panel explores paths to NW resource adequacy >> about Panel explores paths to NW resource adequacy

NWEC joins groups asking Inslee to extend shut-off moratorium

The following press release was issued earlier today by the Sierra Club. Coalition calls for WA to protect low-income utility users during COVID fallout Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Contact: Robin Everett, Senior Organizing Manager – Sierra Club, 206-713-5474 Wendy Gerlitz, Policy Director – Northwest Energy Coalition, 503-449-0009 Katrina Peterson, Climate Justice Program Manager – Puget…

Continue reading NWEC joins groups asking Inslee to extend shut-off moratorium >> about NWEC joins groups asking Inslee to extend shut-off moratorium

Advancing 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…

Continue reading Advancing energy efficiency during the COVID-19 crisis >> about Advancing energy efficiency during the COVID-19 crisis

Inslee halts electricity shut-offs

On Friday, April 17th, Governor Inslee signed a new proclamation to help utilities across the state preserve access to essential utility services and alleviate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NW Energy Coalition commends Governor Inslee for his leadership and work to protect Washington’s most vulnerable residents. As people continue to stay home to…

Continue reading Inslee halts electricity shut-offs >> about Inslee halts electricity shut-offs

Coalition finds DEIS energy analysis inadequate and misleading, calls for new study

The following is a summary of the formal comments the NW Energy Coalition is submitting on April 13, 2020 in response to the Columbia River System Operations Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).  You can download this summary and the full comment. The NW Energy Coalition and partners, including the Idaho Conservation League and the National…

Continue reading Coalition finds DEIS energy analysis inadequate and misleading, calls for new study >> about Coalition finds DEIS energy analysis inadequate and misleading, calls for new study

Avista rate case offers wins for customers, climate, Colstrip

Last week the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a partial multiparty settlement in the Avista rate case​. It also decided issues outside of the settlement, including fast-tracking refunds to customers to minimize rate increases for natural gas customers and to eliminate them for electric customers in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Avista’s…

Continue reading Avista rate case offers wins for customers, climate, Colstrip >> about Avista rate case offers wins for customers, climate, Colstrip

Appeal to Oregon Gov. Brown to assure electricity service

The Oregon Community Action Partnership and the Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board joined the NW Energy Coalition in a letter to Governor Kate Brown asking her to order reconnection of utility customers who may have been disconnected, a moratorium on new disconnections, and , and revised credit and collection procedures to insure that electricity remains affordable…

Continue reading Appeal to Oregon Gov. Brown to assure electricity service >> about Appeal to Oregon Gov. Brown to assure electricity service