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Northwest Power and Conservation Council seeks comments on direct natural gas use, aka 'fuel switching'
As it develops the 7th Plan, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council is releasing a series of issue papers for public comment. This week the Council released its “Direct Use of Natural Gas Analysis,” with a comment period running through Feb. 20. Despite the potential thermal efficiencies of direct use, the Council has never considered switching from electric to gas heat to be conservation.
Huffington Post blog: 6 reasons 2014 was a good year for climate action
There are many reasons to be joyous about clean energy advancements in 2014. The cost of solar and wind energy continues to fall, utilities are investing in energy storage and electric vehicle charging, Chinese coal demand is falling, sustainable investing is on the rise, and businesses are more vocal than ever on the need for climate action.
Clean energy advocates should rally behind governor's bold climate plan
On Wednesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled a suite of proposals that would increasingly limit carbon pollution in the state and make major polluters pay for the carbon they do emit via a market-based allocation system. Revenues from the pollution permits – estimated at $1 billion in the first year – would go to transportation, particularly transit and electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure; relief for low-income communities; and education, to help meet court funding mandates.
The Columbian article: All-renewable energy eyed for Boeing plant
Boeing has announced it will assemble its 737 airplanes with renewable energy. The company will buy renewable energy credits from Puget Sound Energy for wind power produced at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar facility. NWEC communications director Marc Krasnowsky says, “They’re basically turning their fossil power green, and that’s laudable.”
Sightline article: The new Oregon carbon tax report is out
Portland State University’s Northwest Economic Research Center (NERC) modeled different carbon tax scenarios in Oregon that would start at $10 per ton and increase at different rates over time. In nearly ever scenario, Oregon was able to reach its goal of a 10% carbon reduction below 1990 levels by 2020. NERC concluded that a carbon tax would generate significant state revenue and thousands of jobs.
Appliance Standards Awarness Project blog post: New standards to improve efficiency of clothes washers in laundromats and apartments
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued new efficiency standards today that will reduce the energy and water use of commercial clothes washers, which are used in laundromats and multi-family buildings. On a national level, the new standards will save 70 trillion Btus of energy over 30 years of sales, an amount equivalent to the annual energy use of 390,000 U.S. households, and yield net present value savings for customers of $240 to $530 million.
Oregonian guest opinion: How wind power helps rural Oregon
Erin Hansell-Heideman of Ione, Oregon explains how renewable energy development is an economic boon for rural communities. Wind farms generate clean electricity, create thousands of rural jobs and accrue millions of dollars in revenue for schools. Hansel-Heidman says, “By harvesting Oregon’s abundant wind resources we are opening up opportunities for rural communities and other family farms throughout the state.”
NWEC comments on EPA Clean Power Rule
Click here to view the NW Energy Coalition’s comments on the EPA’s Clean Power Rule.
Northwest electricity consumers enjoying higher and higher energy savings
Northwest utilities and their customers continue to beat their regional energy efficiency targets and remain on-course to exceed the five-year savings goal established by the 6th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan. In 2013, the region achieved 268 average megawatts of energy efficiency. According to the region’s official power planning agency, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, that’s enough negawatts (energy savings) to satisfy the electricity needs of more than 180,000 Northwest homes.
![Image of a worker looking at the glass of a solar panel. In the background you can see Wind Turbines. Two different technologies to produce energy in a responsible and sustainable way (ISO 100) . All my images have been processed in 16 Bits and transfer down to 8 before uploading. [url=http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=7053550] [img]http://www.ll28.com/istock/solarpanel.jpg [/img][/url]](https://nwenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/iStock_000014461752sml.jpg "Examining the glass")
Idaho Statesman article: PUC approves two projects on Idaho Power grid
Solar power is a real deal right now and Idaho Power got state approval for two sales contracts with developers. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the two contracts Friday for the two projects – one in Kuna and a second in Grand View – that would produce 120 megawatts, enough power to serve 83,000 average-sized homes. The projects are scheduled to be completed in 2016.