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Washington enacts law to spur building efficiency, resilience upgrades
Leveraging private funding for public good: efficiency and resilience upgrades made easier with C-PACER Upgrades to make commercial and apartment buildings more resilient and energy efficient will soon become easier in Washington. The state legislature has passed and sent to the governor House Bill 2405, the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resilience bill, also…
Read MoreWashington makes zero emission vehicles more available and affordable
The Washington State Legislature has passed SB 5811, the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) bill, which will increase zero emission vehicle selection in the state and ensure reductions in greenhouse gases from the transportation sector by requiring that ZEVs command an increasing share of Washington’s new car market. Washington joins eleven other states in implementing the ZEV program, which places…
Read MoreUtilities, environmental groups ask NW governors to address Snake River salmon issue
The NW Energy Coalition joins group in calling for regional dialogue SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — In a letter to the Governors of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, energy company and conservation community leaders called on elected officials across the Pacific Northwest to prioritize collaborative solutions to address the issues surrounding the Lower Snake River, including the…
Read MoreOPALCO Board Rescinds Resolution Opposing Dam Removal
Today, the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative board of directors unanimously rescinded a resolution passed last September in which the board expressed its opposition to removal of four lower Snake River dams as well as the now ongoing Washington stakeholder process that is exploring the social and economic implications of possible dam removal. Confronted with…
Read MoreInslee appoints Hirsh to chair energy advisory committee
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has appointed NW Energy Coalition Executive Director, Nancy Hirsh, to co-chair a 27-member advisory committee to guide an update to the state energy strategy. The committee’s charge is to identify policies and actions to ensure competitive energy prices, foster a clean energy economy, and ensure the state meets its greenhouse gas…
Read MoreFall 2019 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference Digest
Energy leaders discuss challenges and opportunities as the Northwest transitions to a clean energy system On December 2, the NW Energy Coalition hosted its Fall 2019 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. Conference guests participated in discussions and presentations exploring the region’s upcoming transition to an…
Read MoreThe Technologies of The Harmonious Grid
The second in a series about changes coming to the Northwest electric system The internet of things (IoT) is an old concept that is about to come to fruition in the electric system. Grid-integrated appliances, home energy systems, and EV infrastructure are just a few of the “things” which the electric system will soon be…
Read MoreThe Harmonious Grid: A new direction for the NW electric system
The first in a series about coming changes to the Northwest electric system In ten years, the NW electric system will be a very different creature . . . we hope. In addition to reducing and ultimately removing fossil fuel resources, the grid will see another fundamental change — the integration of emerging customer-side resources…
Read MoreHow solar installers can diversify their workforces
The NW Energy Coalition has published a fact sheet summarizing tactics that solar installers can use to attract more people of color to the industry and to their companies. The fact sheet is derived from a study published in June by the Solar Foundation, which found that only about 10% of 7,300 solar industry jobs…
Read MoreCoalition members sue Trump administration over emissions rule
NW Energy Coalition members Seattle City Light and National Grid are among nine utilities suing the Trump administration over its plan to replace the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan with the Affordable Clean Energy rule. The plaintiffs, who call their group the Power Companies Climate Coalition, argue that the Environmental Protection Agency’s ACE rule undercuts…
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