PSE plan to cut emissions is a positive first step. More are needed

Today, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced a plan to reduce by 50% greenhouse gas emissions from its electricity generating and natural gas operations. Nancy Hirsh, executive director of the NW Energy Coalition, congratulated PSE on its effort to cut emissions and also expressed hope that PSE will make specific commitments to increasing energy efficiency and customer…

Read More

Washington UTC issues historic order in PSE rate case

An important step toward a clean energy future in the Northwest OLYMPIA, Washington — Yesterday the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a settlement and issued a final decision on contested issues in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rate case. The Commission decision allows PSE to recover costs for the eventual closure and clean-up of four…

Read More

Ben Otto reviews this year’s Idaho climate change summit

“Safeguarding Idaho’s Economy in a Changing Climate” is a wide-ranging two-day summit, that took place on November 16th and 17th in four cities around the state.  The conference is designed to explore market-based solutions for safeguarding Idaho’s economy, health, landscape and lifestyle.  The themes discussed at this year’s conference included: Economic Cost of Climate Change…

Read More

Oregon Department of Energy incentive programs sunsetting and moving

The end of the year will see bring a close to three Oregon energy incentive programs include the popular Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC).  Meanwhile, three other programs will move to other state agencies.  These include two new programs — the Zero Emissions Vehicle Rebate Program, which will be administered by the Department of Environmental…

Read More

Coalition members offer weatherization and bill assistance services

Community service and advocacy organizations make up a vital segment of the Coalition’s membership.  At a time when many state and local policies to support renewable energy are criticized as being “welfare for the rich”, these organizations help make sure that the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency reach those who need it most.…

Read More

Solar Plus Northwest aims to triple region’s solar energy resources

The NW Energy Coalition has joined a broad coalition of stakeholders in supporting Solar Plus, an in initiative that’s working to triple the amount of solar energy installed in Washington and Oregon by 2019. The Solar Plus project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and brings together utilities, environmental…

Read More

We paid $14 million for a fish hatchery . . . and all its fish are dying

Idaho Statesman reporter, Rocky Barker’s latest  installment examining the struggle to restore salmon and steelhead populations on the Snake and Columbia rivers.  You might also enjoy Rocky’s earlier installments, which follow. The public paid $14 million for an Idaho hatchery — and all its fish have been dying Only 157 endangered Snake River sockeye salmon…

Read More

Natural Gas, Utility Biz Model Reform, & Just Transition at the Fall 2017 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference

The Fall 2017 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference was held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Seattle Hilton.  More than 200 attendees gathered to explore issues related to energy, climate, and just transition and to network with colleagues from industry, advocacy organizations, and government.  The following is a digest of the conference’s three major sessions…

Read More

Oregon Gov. Brown asserts leadership in transition to clean energy

NW Energy Coalition congratulates Governor Brown on Energy Efficiency and Transportation Electrification executive orders The NW Energy Coalition congratulates Governor Kate Brown for issuing two executive orders that will accelerate improvements in energy and water efficiency and in the adoption of electric vehicles in Oregon. As a precursor to her attendance at the International Climate…

Read More