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Coalition offers initial ideas to strengthen 7th Plan’s energy efficiency provisions
Early results from the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 7th Power Plan analysis once again illustrate the tremendous value energy efficiency brings to our region. Some 1,300–1,450 average megawatts of cost-effective energy efficiency should be available over the next five years.To assure the cleanest and most affordable 7th Plan, the NW Energy Coalition recently submitted an initial set of energy efficiency action recommendations to the Council.
Read MoreCoalition analysis: 7th Power Plan model minimizes looming coal plant costs, ignores out-of-region generators
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 7th Plan will serve as a guide for choosing the best resources to meet electric needs over the next 20 years. A NW Energy Coalition issue paper, The True Cost of Coal: Fully accounting for coal-fired electricity use in the 7th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan, bares two shortcomings in the Council’s resource modeling that makes these polluting coal plants look cheaper than they are as a resource to meet the region’s needs.
Read MoreThe Tri-City Herald: Benton PUD’s solar panels producing savings for investors
The Benton Public Utility District showed off its Ely Community Solar Project to its customers Wednesday and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. An array of solar panels is lined up on the PUD property, visible from Highway 395 at the 10th Avenue intersection. The project has been operating since July 1, and those who invested will see savings on their next monthly electric bill.
Read MoreCoalition, allies urge Council to push low-income energy efficiency in the 7th Plan
The NW Energy Coalition and several member organizations are urging a strengthened commitment to economic equity in the 7th Power Plan. In a July 8 letter, the groups note Bonneville Power Administration’s ongoing shortfall in extending the benefits of energy efficiency measures to low- and moderate-income families. All energy customers pay for utilities’ energy efficiency programs in their bills, but those on limited incomes often cannot take advantage of the product and services incentives those programs provide.
Read MoreBozeman Daily Chronicle guest column: Building on 10 years of renewable energy
Last month, Montana celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Jeff Fox of Renewable Northwest lauds the legislation as a success because major utilities have met the 15 percent renewable energy requirement, compliance has not increased costs to consumers and new renewable energy development has created more than 1,500 jobs in the state. Fox says, “We must stay focused on our opportunities and challenges in order to ensure that the next 10 years of renewable energy in Montana are an even bigger success.”
Read MoreNW Council blog post – Northwest energy future: Efficient, low-cost, low carbon
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s recent blog post outlines the preliminary results of its 20-year scenario analysis modeling. The results indicate that investments in 3,800-4,500 aMW of energy efficiency are cost-effective over the next 20 years and will help the region meet new load growth; demand response will help meet winter peaking capacity requirements; and some new power generation may be needed to replace retiring coal plants.
Read MoreCoalition presents its two highest awards
In May, former NWEC executive director Sara Patton presented the Headwaters Award to Seattle’s Mary Smith. The award recognizes a member of NWEC’s extended family for outstanding achievements. The following day, current Coalition executive director Nancy Hirsh presented NWEC’s highest award, the Conservation Eagle, to the Coalition of Columbia Basin Tribes. The group, comprising 15 Northwest tribes, effectively advocated adding ecosystem function as a designated purpose of the Columbia River Treaty.
Read MoreIdaho Power honors Nancy Hirsh
NW Energy Coalition executive director Nancy Hirsh was honored for her clean energy advocacy during the Coalition’s recent Clean and Affordable Energy Conference in Boise. Idaho Power customer relations and energy efficiency manager Theresa Drake thanked Hirsh for her 13 years of service on the utility’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Group and presented her with an etched glass award.
Read MoreE&E article: Is it cool to be 'green' at sports stadiums? Yes, but it goes beyond that
Stadiums across the country are going green. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it saves millions of dollars on energy and garbage bills. The biggest savings have been from energy efficiency improvements such as switching to LED lighting. Additional measures include water conservation and enhanced recycling and composting programs. Check out E&E’s series on the impact warming temperatures are having on sports.
Read MoreHow clean energy is faring in Northwest state legislatures
This fall and spring, NW Energy Coalition staff have been working in state legislative sessions throughout the region to advance and especially to defend clean and affordable energy laws. Each legislature is different, but many of the issues being addressed are familiar ones: energy efficiency, including building codes; renewable energy incentives and targets; distributed generation options, particularly resident-sited solar power; and coal plants and climate. Low-income protection and electric vehicle infrastructure are also getting legislative looks.
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