Legislative Advocacy
Groups assail BPA’s woefully low efficiency spending proposal
NW Energy Coalition and 29 other clean energy advocacy organizations and businesses submitted a group letter to the Bonneville Power Administration April 11, urging the agency to adequately fund energy efficiency it its FY 2016-2017 capital budget. The letter expressed concern that the proposed budget is inadequate to meet BPA’s legal obligations or to pursue the best interests of the region.
Save the date: 4 Under Forty – June 12, 2014 in Seattle
Please save the date for the 4 Under Forty event at the Bullitt Center in Seattle on June 12th. We hope you can join us for a fun evening of delicious food and great conversation as we celebrate the four clean energy leader honorees and the great work of all the nominees. At the event we will also present two other awards honoring clean and affordable energy change-makers.
Governor signs bill to preserve Oregon's RPS
Today Governor John Kitzhaber signed HB 4126 to preserve Oregon’s highly successful Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The bill is the result of a diverse stakeholder process convened by the Governor to address a ballot measure, which would have gutted the state’s RPS by allowing existing hydropower to count towards the standard. Renewable Northwest commends the Governor for his leadership in preserving the RPS, which has helped to bring over $9 billion of capital investment to Oregon as well as thousands of jobs and tax dollars to rural communities.
Last chance to book your reduced rate hotel room for NWEC's Helena conference!
The NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Helena is right around the corner. Only one week left to book your Helena Great Northern Hotel room at a discounted rate! You may reserve your room online (promo code “NWEC”) or by calling 800-829-4047 (be sure to reference the NW Energy Coalition). The discount expires on April 16.
Washington legislature: I-937 survives challenges while new clean energy bills stall; operating budget provides oddly mixed message
Thanks to the steadfast efforts of activists such as you, our Clean Energy Initiative 937 has weathered another stormy legislative session. Despite numerous bills to weaken its energy efficiency and new renewables standards, I-937 emerged from the session not only relatively unscathed, but in some ways strengthened.
4 Under Forty: An event to honor young energy leaders
The NW Energy Coalition is proud to honor four clean energy leaders, age 40 and under, at our 4 Under Forty event in Seattle this June. If you know someone who has shown great leadership in building clean and affordable energy solutions, please take a few minutes to share their story with us. More details on the Seattle event will follow shortly. In the meantime please submit your nomination today and give the young leaders you know a chance to be recognized for the great work they do every day.
BPA seriously underfunding energy efficiency
Bonneville Power recently released its proposed capital budget, but it has not yet finalized its expense budget for public review. Given what we’ve seen so far, BPA’s draft budgets for 2016-17 seriously underfund energy efficiency efforts, making achievement of the full power savings called for in the regional plan unlikely at best.
NWEC spring conference to feature energy efficiency panel
Please join us May 2-3 at the NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Helena, Mont. One of panels at the Helena conference will address the challenges and opportunities for increasing energy efficiency in the Northwest. Energy efficiency is now the second-largest resource used to meet customer electricity needs, and meeting all new electricity needs with energy savings is within reach. But troubling clouds are on the horizon.
The Energy Activist Update, Feb. 2014: Defending and advancing clean energy in Northwest state legislatures
NW Energy Coalition staff, members and allies are working to protect our clean energy future in legislative sessions in three of our four Northwest states. The February Energy Activist Update highlights legislative efforts in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The update also includes information on the upcoming NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Helena.
Save Our Wild Salmon press release: Science panel’s review provides pathway to expanded spill test
On Friday, the Independent Scientific Advisory Board of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council released its review of Oregon’s proposal to test state, federal and Tribal scientists’ findings that increased spring spill over Columbia Basin hydropower dams would help restore endangered Columbia-Snake river salmon stocks.
Olympian Editorial: Do not compromise the Energy Independence Act
The Olympian editorial denounces bills in the Washington State Legislature that would chip away at our Clean Energy Law, Initiative 937. The article asserts that Washington should continue developing new renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, in order to reduce carbon emissions.
Stop the clean energy rollbacks!
Several bills moving toward floor votes in Olympia would undercut our clean energy law, Initiative 937, and reduce Washington’s commitment to a clean and affordable energy future. Proposed changes include allowing coal purchases from the TransAlta plant to reduce utilities’ renewable energy obligations. Tell your state legislators to stop rollbacks to I-937 and clean energy!