News
NW Energy Coalition announces new executive director
The NW Energy Coalition executive board is proud to announce that nationally admired energy policy authority Nancy Hirsh will succeed Sara Patton as Coalition executive director, effective in January. Hirsh has been Coalition policy director for 18 years. She’s left her personal imprint on such critical accomplishments as increasingly energy efficiency-focused regional power plans, agreements to end coal-fired power generation in Washington and Oregon once and for all, and the region’s landmark renewable energy and energy efficiency standard: Washington’s I-937.
Join us for the NW Energy Coalition conference and gala!
Join us at the NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference and the Founding the Future Gala Nov. 7-8 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Portland. The conference will address critical issues including the best ways to replace aging fossil-fuel generation, regulating off-grid energy services and the Columbia River Treaty’s effect on future hydro generation. At the gala, Clean energy supporters will enjoy a delicious plated dinner, drinks and great conversation while honoring the many Coalition founders and welcoming tomorrow’s leaders. Register today!
Public input will be crucial in shaping next regional power and conservation plan
Work on the next regional power plan is shifting into high gear. The Seventh Northwest Power and Conservation Plan, like its six predecessors, will guide Bonneville Power Administration and public utility resource choices and set the regional benchmark for meeting predicted electricity needs over the next 20 years. Public comments on both are due Oct. 31.
The Columbian Op-Ed: Climate woes, income inequality can be tackled together
K.C. Golden, senior adviser for Climate Solutions, and Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council, insist that our leaders must do more to address climate change and inequity issues. They point out that through advancing energy efficiency, we can create jobs, save bill-payers’ money, reduce climate pollution and build healthier communities.
Billings Gazette article: PSC approves NW Energy's $870M purchase of PPL's hydro dams
On Thursday, Montana’s Public Service Commission approved Northwestern Energy’s proposed $870 million purchase of 11 hydroelectric dams. While the purchase provides stability and clean energy for NorthWestern Energy customers, it will lead to a rate increase of about 5%. NorthWestern still needs final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Pioneer energy efficiency data analyst Nancy Hersh to keynote Coalition conference Nov. 7 in Portland
The NW Energy Coalition is very excited to announce that Nancy Hersh, head of Opower’s analytics team, will keynote the Coalition’s Fall NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland Nov. 7. A Coalition member organization, Opower is the global leader in developing software and analyzing data to support energy efficiency efforts.
Coalition member group Seinergy reaches milestone
One of the NW Energy Coalition’s newest members, Seinergy, based in Washington state has reached one million kWh of documented energy savings. These savings represent voluntary upgrades in residential homes throughout western Washington. Some savings have been claimed by participating utilities to satisfy state conservation mandates.
Please join us for Founding the Future, a NW Energy Coalition Gala in Portland, Ore.
Join us on November 7 at Portland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel for our gala event, Founding the Future. Honor NW Energy Coalition founders and help build our region’s clean energy future. At the gala, clean energy leaders from across the Northwest will enjoy a delicious plated dinner, drinks and great conversation. We hope to raise a glass with you that evening.
Kelsey Jae Nunez named executive director of Snake River Alliance
After a rigorous national search and interview process, the Snake River Alliance Board of Directors has hired Kelsey Jae Nunez as the Alliance’s new Executive Director. Nunez, who will assume her leadership of the Alliance in her new capacity on August 11, replaces Liz Woodruff, who left the Alliance this month to pursue other opportunities and challenges in the Idaho nonprofit sector.
The Tyee Op-Ed: BC's climate plan is working, so why stop now?
Josha McNab of the Pembina Institute explains that while British Columbia has made significant progress toward carbon reduction, there is room for improvement. A new Climate Action Plan would help reduce carbon while simultaneously strengthening B.C.’s clean energy economy.