News
NWEC joins call for congress to fully fund LIHEAP
Today, the NW Energy Coalition joined dozens of organizations and companies nationwide in a letter sponsored by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coaltion that asks congress to fully fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year 2019. Over the last eight years, the LIHEAP appropriation has declined by 35% and…
PSE plan to cut emissions is a positive first step. More are needed
Today, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced a plan to reduce by 50% greenhouse gas emissions from its electricity generating and natural gas operations. Nancy Hirsh, executive director of the NW Energy Coalition, congratulated PSE on its effort to cut emissions and also expressed hope that PSE will make specific commitments to increasing energy efficiency and customer…
Washington UTC issues historic order in PSE rate case
An important step toward a clean energy future in the Northwest OLYMPIA, Washington — Yesterday the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a settlement and issued a final decision on contested issues in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rate case. The Commission decision allows PSE to recover costs for the eventual closure and clean-up of four…
Ben Otto reviews this year’s Idaho climate change summit
“Safeguarding Idaho’s Economy in a Changing Climate” is a wide-ranging two-day summit, that took place on November 16th and 17th in four cities around the state. The conference is designed to explore market-based solutions for safeguarding Idaho’s economy, health, landscape and lifestyle. The themes discussed at this year’s conference included: Economic Cost of Climate Change…
Oregon Department of Energy incentive programs sunsetting and moving
The end of the year will see bring a close to three Oregon energy incentive programs include the popular Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC). Meanwhile, three other programs will move to other state agencies. These include two new programs — the Zero Emissions Vehicle Rebate Program, which will be administered by the Department of Environmental…
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.…
Solar Plus Northwest aims to triple region’s solar energy resources
The NW Energy Coalition has joined a broad coalition of stakeholders in supporting Solar Plus, an in initiative that’s working to triple the amount of solar energy installed in Washington and Oregon by 2019. The Solar Plus project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and brings together utilities, environmental…
We paid $14 million for a fish hatchery . . . and all its fish are dying
Idaho Statesman reporter, Rocky Barker’s latest installment examining the struggle to restore salmon and steelhead populations on the Snake and Columbia rivers. You might also enjoy Rocky’s earlier installments, which follow. The public paid $14 million for an Idaho hatchery — and all its fish have been dying Only 157 endangered Snake River sockeye salmon…
Does natural gas has a role in the clean energy future? Martha Baskin reports
From the Public Radio Exchange: Journalist Martha Baskin interviews three panelists from the recent Clean & Affordable Energy Conference panel on the role of natural gas as the Northwest transitions to a clean energy economy. Hear Martha Baskin’s report
Pacific NW Low Carbon Scenario Analysis presentation available
Arne Olson and E3 (Energy + Environmental Economics) have prepared a new study evaluating the effectiveness and cost of various policy approaches for achieving deep decarbonization of the electricity generating system in the Northwest. The approaches evaluated include carbon taxation and “cap and trade”, a prohibition on new natural gas development, increases in renewable portfolio…