Energy Efficiency
The Columbian Op-Ed: Climate woes, income inequality can be tackled together
K.C. Golden, senior adviser for Climate Solutions, and Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council, insist that our leaders must do more to address climate change and inequity issues. They point out that through advancing energy efficiency, we can create jobs, save bill-payers’ money, reduce climate pollution and build healthier communities.
Pioneer energy efficiency data analyst Nancy Hersh to keynote Coalition conference Nov. 7 in Portland
The NW Energy Coalition is very excited to announce that Nancy Hersh, head of Opower’s analytics team, will keynote the Coalition’s Fall NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland Nov. 7. A Coalition member organization, Opower is the global leader in developing software and analyzing data to support energy efficiency efforts.
NW Energy Coalition and other Clean Energy Scenarios Stakeholders submit comments on PacificCorp's Integrated Resource Plan
The “Clean Energy Scenarios Stakeholders” (NW Energy Coalition, HEAL Utah, Idaho Conservation League, Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Renewable Northwest and Sierra Club) have submitted comments for the PacificCorp’s 2015 IRP modeling process concerning proposed carbon price and solar PV scenarios. Click here to read the comments.
Coalition member group Seinergy reaches milestone
One of the NW Energy Coalition’s newest members, Seinergy, based in Washington state has reached one million kWh of documented energy savings. These savings represent voluntary upgrades in residential homes throughout western Washington. Some savings have been claimed by participating utilities to satisfy state conservation mandates.
32 groups sign letter to BPA on low-income energy efficiency
Thirty-one community action agencies, clean energy businesses, environmental advocates and other public-interest groups have joined the NW Energy Coalition in urging the Bonneville Power Administration to improve energy efficiency services to low-income families. BPA can help its customer utilities better serve their low-income populations by providing energy efficiency programs that will lower their bills and reduce shut-offs.
NEEA board adopts new 5-year strategic plan with lean budget, leaving long-term energy savings at risk
Despite hundreds of individual comments and letters, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance board has decided to stick with a budget almost 30% percent below the previous 5-year budget. The NW Energy Coalition and other clean energy advocates will work to ensure that NEEA maintains its effectiveness and helps the region achieve all the cost-effective energy efficiency we can get to reduce climate pollution and consumers’ bills. This is not the time to retreat on energy efficiency, our cheapest, cleanest and quickest new energy resource.
Seattle Times column: Energy efficiency becomes hot market for tech companies
Federal climate change initiatives create opportunities for tech companies to pursue energy efficiency innovations. New technologies will utilize databases that track customers’ energy usage. The International Energy Agency projects that investments in efficiency technology will double over the next 20 years.
Efficiency-boosting mechanism for PSE moving ahead
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Murphy has rejected the primary challenges to an historic regulatory ruling that will allow Puget Sound Energy to reduce consumers’ energy use without undermining its financial health. PSE will be on a course to increase electricity savings by at least 5% from its already robust conservation programs. PSE will make available an additional $500,000 for weatherization of low-income homes. The order also requires the utility to increase its low-income bill assistance funding by $1.5 million.
4 Under Forty honoree Gus Takala touts energy efficiency in EnergyBiz column
Takala argues that a strong in-house energy efficiency department is necessary for utilities to provide quality customer service. He says that utilities are uniquely suited to help customers take advantage of energy efficiency investments, but this will require them to move beyond just capital investments into territories such as behavior and operation and maintenance programs.
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance could be cut nearly 30%: Attend a hearing and stop the budget cuts!
NEEA is now developing its next five-year strategic plan and budget to advance its long-term clean energy vision. Unfortunately, NEEA’s board members recently voted for a budget proposal that would significantly undercut NEEA’s efficiency achievements by cutting its primary budget nearly 30%. Make your voice heard to stop the cuts!