Equity & Affordability
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 MoreRivas 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…
Read MoreSettlement achieved in Microsoft bid to buy energy directly
For the last several months, the Coalition has been involved in a case at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) under which Puget Sound Energy (PSE), in response to a request from Microsoft, proposed to establish a tariff under which large customers would be eligible to purchase electricity directly from the market while relying…
Read MoreOppose Tacoma Power's request to double its customer service charge
Tacoma Power says the proposed increase is the best solution for low income customers. It’s not. On Tuesday, March 7, Tacoma City Council will consider a request from the public electric utility, Tacoma Power, to more than double its fixed monthly charge to customers over two years. While the utility’s need for additional revenue is…
Read More“Charge Without a Cause” : The new fee electric utilities want to impose on residential customers
Residential demand charges are popping up with increasing frequency in utility rate design proposals. They’ve even become the topic of an annual summit for utility executives and regulators. But, for ratepayers, demand charges offer few if any offsetting benefits and, worse, they don’t solve the problem they’re supposed to address.
Read MoreNew York Times editorial: Proof That a Price on Carbon Works
Lawmakers who oppose taking action to lower greenhouse gas emissions by putting a price on carbon often argue that doing so would hurt businesses and consumers. But the energy policies adopted by some American states and Canadian provinces demonstrate that those arguments are simply unfounded.
Read MoreAdvocacy nets significant victory for energy efficiency, EV readiness at Washington’s Building Code Council
Washington state will have some of the nation’s strongest energy code provisions following key votes last November by the state Building Code Council. The NW Energy Coalition congratulates the many Northwest energy efficiency leaders who developed and supported strong changes to the energy code, especially Duane Jonlin for his tireless leadership in getting them approved.
Read MorePublic 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.
Read More7th Plan hearing in Seattle
Thursday (Nov. 19) the Northwest Power and Conservation Council will hold a public hearing on the draft plan at the Hilton Airport Conference Center, 17620 International Blvd, 5-7 p.m., one of eight hearings the Council is conducting around the Northwest. Click here for the Coalition’s short talking points developed to prepare advocates for the regional 7th…
Read MoreWeigh in on the 7th Power Plan
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council, the region’s official power planning agency, has just released the draft of its seventh regional power plan. The public now has 60 days to provide written reactions and opportunities to attend and testify at public hearings in all four Northwest states.
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