Legislative Advocacy
Clean utilities and carbon pricing bills advance in Washington legislature
Yesterday HB 2402 the Washington Clean Utilities Act and SB 6203, Governor Jay Inslee’s carbon pricing bill, were passed out of their respective House and Senate committees. The passage of these bills out of committee is a necessary step toward achieving two important policy goals: Continuing to clean up our electric system by advancing renewable…
NW Energy Coalition welcomes BPA 2018-23 Strategic Plan
Yesterday, the Bonneville Power Administration released its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan that lays out the agency’s goals as it works to adapt to an increasingly complex and competitive electricity market. The NW Energy Coalition congratulates BPA for establishing four important overarching goals in the new 5-year plan. They are: Strengthening financial health Modernizing system assets and…
Coalition supports Washington Clean Utilities Act.
HB 2402, the Washington Clean Utility Act, will ensure that progress on greenhouse gas reduction and growth in Washington’s clean energy economy don’t come to an end when existing renewable portfolio and energy efficiency standards top out in the year 2020. Sponsored by Delegates Gael Tarleton, Vandana Slatter, Nicole Macri, Gerry Pollet, and Beth Doglio, HB…
New study optimistic about a low-carbon energy system for the Northwest
Questions remain about how best to achieve it A new study conducted by the consulting firm, Energy + Environmental Economics (E3) and sponsored by the Public Generating Pool (PGP), Benton Public Utility District, and Energy Northwest, shows that the Northwest can transition to an energy efficient, low-carbon electric system at relatively little cost. This study,…
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…
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…
Rivas makes the case for proposed Puget Sound Energy settlement
Settlement a key step in securing the best possible outcome for Colstrip and Montana (The following is an op-ed written by Diego Rivas of the NW Energy Coalition. It was published on October 6, 2017 in the Billings Gazette.) A recent settlement proposal filed with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is a major step toward ensuring…
Proposed Puget Sound Energy Rate Case Provides Funds for Colstrip Transition
(The NW Energy Coalition along with Renewable Northwest released the following statement today in response to the filing of a proposed settlement in the Puget Sound Energy rate case at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.) SEATTLE, Wash. — A diverse group of parties has reached a proposed settlement in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rate…
Clean energy developments in Oregon
The NW Energy Coalition, Citizens’ Utility Board of Oregon, Climate Solutions, Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, Renewable Northwest and Sierra Club have agreed on a state legislative proposal to move Oregon utility ratepayers off of coal and to double the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50%.
Public Hearing 11/19 on Regional Power Plan
BOISE, Idaho – Should Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington build more power plants, or rely more on energy efficiency and renewables?
Issues like these will be addressed at a public hearing in Boise tomorrow night on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 7th Regional Power Plan.