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Washington’s groundbreaking climate package examined
8 bills that transform Washington’s energy system Click here to download the NWEC 2019 Washington State Legislative Digest for energy-related bills Click here to download the NWEC digest for E2SSB 5116, the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Bill, better known as the 100% Clean Electricity bill. Click here to download the NWEC digest for HB 1257,…
Read MoreWhat will it take to restore salmon and save orca whales?
Simpson says region must ask “what if?” lower Snake River dams are removed Will Washington legislature follow suit? BOISE, IDAHO — Republican Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho energized a conference audience in Boise on Tuesday by declaring the need for the Northwest to explore the implications of removing four lower Snake River dams in order…
Read MorePlease join us in celebrating!
(Nancy is traveling, but she asked me to send the following message on her behalf. S.O’L.) Hi, After a long time and a great deal of effort, just now, the Washington legislature passed the third bill in the trio of NW Energy Coalition priorities for this session – the 100% Clean Electricity (SB 5116) bill, which assures that over…
Read MoreThe need for lower Snake River dam stakeholder forum
The Seattle Times has published an op-ed titled, “Restore the Snake River? Stakeholder talks are the right next step” by Sam Mace of Coalition member Save Our wild Salmon. Sam makes the case for state funding for a proposed lower Snake River dam stakeholder forum. The forum would give Washington communities a voice in examining the…
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 MoreHouse passes WA Clean Buildings bill
House passes Washington Clean Buildings bill Key piece of Governor Jay Inslee’s climate package advances OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON — Last night’s passage of the Clean Buildings for Washington Act (HB 1257) by the state House of Representatives moves Washington one step closer to becoming a national leader in tackling one of the least recognized but biggest…
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 MoreInequities in the energy system: new white paper explores issues and opportunities
“Families in America with the least means pay disproportionately more for their electricity, sometimes lacking basic access to service altogether.” That’s the finding and the starting point for a new white paper that goes on to explain how, as we transition to a cleaner electric system, we can address inequities that at present force some…
Read MoreDOE attacks efficiency standards and hundreds of millions of dollars in savings
Within hours of Trump administration appointee Daniel Simmons taking over the the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Department of Energy renewed efforts to block or roll back energy efficiency standards that save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. It’s part of an ongoing campaign that began in 2018 when the administration…
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