News
Op-Ed: Colstrip is neither cheap nor reliable for Montanans
In her Hungry Horse News op-ed, Anne Hedges of the Montana Environmental Information Center asserts that energy efficiency and renewable energy are more reliable than the aging Colstrip coal-fired power plant. Hedges claims that it’s time for Montana’s Public Service Commissioners to push NorthWestern Energy to replace Colstrip with clean energy sources because it will save customers money and create jobs in the long-run.
4 Under Forty celebration a huge success!
We are so happy many people in the Seattle area could join us last week to recognize and thank the Four Under Forty honorees for the outstanding work they do every day. The evening was a great success! All of us were moved by the honorees’ stories, by the words of support for the Coalition, and by the contributions from so many to sustain our clean energy work.
E&E news: Wind turbines generate prompt energy payback – study
The energy required to build a new commercial-scale wind turbine amounts to only a small amount of what the turbine will produce over a projected 20-year life span, according to a new life-cycle analysis of wind turbines performed by Oregon State University researchers. The environmental analysis, published in the International Journal of Sustainable Manufacturing, concludes that a 2-megawatt turbine built for a typical Pacific Northwest wind farm will pay back the energy used in its manufacture and installation within five to eight months of coming into service.
Federal agencies squander chance for progress on Northwest salmon survival, send region back to court
Yesterday, 13 conservation and fishing groups filed a legal challenge of the latest federal plan for endangered Columbia and Snake River salmon. The organizations assert that the Obama administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) failed to address the core issues that triggered federal-court rejection of three previous plans, forcing another round of litigation just as momentum is building in the Northwest for a broadly supported stakeholder collaboration as an alternative to the courtroom.
4 Under Forty Honoree Bios
Four young leaders, in bringing the benefits of clean and affordable energy to all of us, will be feted at the NW Energy Coalition’s 2nd annual 4 Under Forty celebration the evening of June 12 at Seattle’s Bullitt Center. The honorees are Tara Anderson (Sustainable Works), Jessica Finn Coven (Climate Solutions), Benjamin Otto (Idaho Conservation League) and Gus Takala (Puget Sound Energy).
NW Energy Coalition to honor Seattle's first living building on June 12
For showing the tremendous potential of energy efficiency and on-site power generation in buildings, the Bullitt Foundation has earned the NW Energy Coalition’s coveted Headwaters Award. Foundation CEO Denis Hayes will accept the award during the Coalition’s 4 Under Forty event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, to be held – appropriately – at the Bullitt Center.
Clean and affordable energy advocates petition NEEA board to maintain energy efficiency budget
Clean and affordable energy advocates sent a group letter to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance board expressing concerns with the depth of proposed budget cuts. Earlier versions of NEEA’s budget and business plan were more consistent with the mission and goals of the organization and did not undercut the organization’s integrity.
NW Energy Coalition offering paid internship
The NW Energy Coalition seeks a part-time (15 – 20 hours per week) intern to work with the outreach director and senior development associate to coordinate the Coalition’s fall Gala in Portland, Ore. The position involves frequent contact with Coalition staff and member organizations. This position is located in our Seattle office.
NW Energy Coalition to give first organizing award
In its 33-year history, the NW Energy Coalition has honored dozens of groups and individuals for their efforts in advancing clean and affordable energy policy across the region. But it has never honored someone specifically for their on-the-ground success in mobilizing grassroots support for those policy efforts. That glaring omission will be rectified on Thursday, June 12. As part of its 2nd annual 4 Under Forty celebration at Seattle’s Bullitt Center, the Coalition will bestow the inaugural Community Organizing Award on Kathleen Casey Ridihalgh, senior organizing manager for the Sierra Club.
Spring conference in Montana a rousing success
Over 100 clean energy experts and advocates came to Helena May 2-3 for the highly successful Spring 2014 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference.