30 days of the DOE Better Buildings webinar series

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Webinar Series takes on pressing topics facing energy professionals, with new experts leading the conversations on proven best practices, cost-effective strategies, and innovative new ways to approach sustainability and energy performance. The webinars are frequent, free, and informative. See the FAQs.   SCHEDULED 2020 SUMMER WEBINARS: BEHIND-THE-METER DISTRIBUTED…

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Coalition recommends clean energy stimulus spending

To help Americans and businesses cope with the ​economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis, the federal government is ​considering targeted investments into the US economy. ​In the immediate future, more funds need to be invested in bill assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help utility customers with growing unpaid balances. In…

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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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Panel explores paths to NW resource adequacy

As the Northwest electric system transitions away from fossil fuel resources, many are asking how utilities plan to meet future power needs.  On May 7, 2020, the NW Energy Coalition hosted a webinar exploring that question and others.  The webinar was moderated by Coalition Senior Policy Associate, Fred Heutte.  Joining him on the panel were…

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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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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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The Technologies of The Harmonious Grid

The second in a series about changes coming to the Northwest electric system The internet of things (IoT) is an old concept that is about to come to fruition in the electric system.  Grid-integrated appliances, home energy systems, and EV infrastructure are just a few of the “things” which the electric system will soon be…

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The Harmonious Grid: A new direction for the NW electric system

The first in a series about coming changes to the Northwest electric system In ten years, the NW electric system will be a very different creature . . . we hope.  In addition to reducing and ultimately removing fossil fuel resources, the grid will see another fundamental change — the integration of emerging customer-side resources…

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How solar installers can diversify their workforces

The NW Energy Coalition has published a fact sheet summarizing tactics that solar installers can use to attract more people of color to the industry and to their companies.  The fact sheet is derived from a study published in June by the Solar Foundation, which found that only about 10% of 7,300 solar industry jobs…

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NW solar industry lags in workforce diversity

New report suggests how employers, governments, and labor can collaborate to match employer needs with qualified candidates of color A new Solar Foundation report that was supported by the NW Energy Coalition finds that only about one in ten solar industry jobs in Washington and Oregon is held by a person of color.  For management…

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