May 2020 Northwest Energy Update

May 2020 Northwest Energy Update NW Utilities’ COVID-19 Response The Coalition’s effort to persuade utilities to suspend service shut-offs during the coronavirus crisis has been quite successful, especially among the region’s largest utilities many of which are also increasing support for bill assistance and reconnecting those whose service may have been shut off before the…

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NWEC joins groups asking Inslee to extend shut-off moratorium

The following press release was issued earlier today by the Sierra Club. Coalition calls for WA to protect low-income utility users during COVID fallout Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Contact: Robin Everett, Senior Organizing Manager – Sierra Club, 206-713-5474 Wendy Gerlitz, Policy Director – Northwest Energy Coalition, 503-449-0009 Katrina Peterson, Climate Justice Program Manager – Puget…

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Advancing energy efficiency during the COVID-19 crisis

A new analysis finds that, in March, the economic crisis associated with the coronavirus pandemic resulted in over 106,000 workers who are employed by clean energy businesses such as solar installers, wind developers, and energy efficiency-related businesses, losing their jobs. Layoffs continued in April and could eventually number more than 500,000, or about 15% of the nation’s 3.4 million clean energy workers. The energy…

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Inslee halts electricity shut-offs

On Friday, April 17th, Governor Inslee signed a new proclamation to help utilities across the state preserve access to essential utility services and alleviate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NW Energy Coalition commends Governor Inslee for his leadership and work to protect Washington’s most vulnerable residents. As people continue to stay home to…

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Avista rate case offers wins for customers, climate, Colstrip

Last week the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission (UTC) approved a partial multiparty settlement in the Avista rate case​. It also decided issues outside of the settlement, including fast-tracking refunds to customers to minimize rate increases for natural gas customers and to eliminate them for electric customers in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Avista’s…

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Appeal to Oregon Gov. Brown to assure electricity service

The Oregon Community Action Partnership and the Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board joined the NW Energy Coalition in a letter to Governor Kate Brown asking her to order reconnection of utility customers who may have been disconnected, a moratorium on new disconnections, and , and revised credit and collection procedures to insure that electricity remains affordable…

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Coalition asks for suspension of utility shut-offs

On Friday, the NW Energy Coalition joined the Washington Community Action Partnership, and The Energy Project, a program of the Opportunity Council in a letter asking Governor Jay Inslee to issue an order under emergency powers to suspend utility shut-offs, waive late fees, and expand bill assistance in order help low and moderate income Washingtonians…

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How utilities can help customers, communities cope with COVID-19

On behalf of the NW Energy Coalition staff and board, we hope you are staying safe in the midst of the national public health emergency around coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to the physical well-being concerns that COVID-19 is raising, we are also aware of the enormous economic effects that this crisis will have on many…

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Fall 2019 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference Digest

Energy leaders discuss challenges and opportunities as the Northwest transitions to a clean energy system On December 2, the NW Energy Coalition hosted its Fall 2019 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle.  Conference guests participated in discussions and presentations exploring the region’s upcoming transition to an…

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