News
PRESS RELEASE: Utility Commission Makes Energy Efficiency Work For Utility and Customers
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ruled Thursday that Pacific Power can recover costs while encouraging customers to save energy even if those efforts result in the sale of less electricity. The ruling, which came as part of a rate case, approved a proposed “decoupling” provision that severs the link between customer energy consumption and utility company sales and replaces it with a model in which Pacific Power will be able to recover fixed costs based on the number of customers served.
The New NW Energy Coalition 5-Year Strategic Plan
The causes for which the NW Energy Coalition advocated at the time of its founding in 1981 – energy efficiency, the adoption of new renewable energy resources, wildlife and fish protection and equity for low-income people – are now so widely embraced, it’s hard to imagine they were ever controversial. But, widespread acceptance of those values is triggering diverse and often conflicting visions for how they should be realized.
4 Under Forty – submit your nominations today!
These honors recognize clean energy leaders under the age of 40 who model the passion and expertise we need to achieve a clean and affordable energy future. We will be celebrating the honorees at our 35th Anniversary Awards Gala on November 17 in Portland, Ore. Submissions for 2016 are due by September 30, 2016.
Member Spotlight: Idaho Rivers United
Idaho Rivers United, a Coalition member for the past 14 years, advocates for protecting and restoring Idaho rivers. IRU defends at-risk fish populations, supports minimum stream flows that reduce dams’ harm to Idaho’s rivers. IRU argues that the four lower Snake River dams in Washington state are more of a threat to Idaho wild salmon survival than habitat destruction or overfishing.
Member Spotlight: Smart Grid Northwest
Smart Grid NW’s mission is to promote, grow and enable the smart grid industry and infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest. To fulfill this mission, Smart Grid NW engages in education and regulatory policy work and brings together technically knowledgeable vendors, utility operators and regulators to create a regional smart grid roadmap.
NWEC submits comment on Clean Air Rule 2nd CR 102 in Washington state
The NW Energy Coalition has submitted technical comments and suggestions to the draft Clean Air Rule, which aims to lower Washington’s carbon emissions via a “baseline and credit” mechanism that requires polluters to either reduce carbon emissions directly each year or acquire emissions reduction units (ERUs) through one of several pathways.
RAP updates classic guide to U.S. electricity regulation
The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), a non-profit dedicated to a clean, reliable and energy efficient energy future, has re-released its expert handbook, Electricity Regulation in the US: A Guide. Newly addressed in this edition is integrated distribution system planning, a complete approach to meeting distribution needs through grid modernization.
Member spotlight: Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association
The Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association is the NW Energy Coalition’s newest organizational member. A solar energy trade association, OSEIA collaborates with utilities, legislators, non-profits and academics to promote solar development in Oregon. OSEIA engages in community education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, market expansion and industry support. It is a crucial organizing association for solar industry professionals in Oregon.
NW Energy Coalition presents "Columbia-Snake River Salmon BiOp" 7/28 11:30 am
Join the NW Energy Coalition for a conversation about the latest federal court rejection of the government’s plan (biological opinion) for recovering salmon harmed by the Columbia-Snake hydropower system. The decision is a big win for Columbia Basin wild salmon.
Clean energy, consumer advocates outline good rate design principles
The NW Energy Coalition is among 32 consumer, clean energy and environmental organizations urging utility regulators to adopt uniform principles for making rate design changes. Northwest utilities, like others across the country, are reconsidering their business models as energy efficiency and consumer-owned distributed generation reduce electric demand. Many are considering higher fixed charges, minimum bills and other approaches that could impede progress toward a clean, affordable and equitable energy future.