News
Wind power on BPA system sets new record
Wind turbines in the Bonneville Power Administration’s transmission grid generated over 3,000 megawatts for the first time yesterday, producing enough electricity to serve a city three times the size of Seattle for an hour…
The Columbian: Closing TransAlta
From this Sunday’s Columbian – “Coal-fired plant is not in our state’s future, and Senate bill offers best compromise”
Seattle Times and PI.com report on coal hearing
Both the Seattle Times and Seattle PI.com are running an Associated Press story on Tuesdays packed House hearing on HB 1825 – which would transition the Centrailia Coal Plant off of coal power by 2020 and provide economic development for Lewis County. Nancy Hirsh, Policy Director for NW Energy Coalition testified at the hearing and LeeAnne Beres, Excutive Director of Earth Ministy and member of the Coalition’s Executive Board is quoted.
Federal Court Rejects Challenge to Washington State Energy Efficiency Rules
A federal court today upheld Washington’s 2009 energy efficiency building code – a code that sets standards that will save Washington residents millions of dollars and reduce harmful global warming pollution. The building code sets energy efficiency requirements for new homes that will reduce energy use, and homeowners’ energy bills, for years to come. The Building Industry Association of Washington had challenged Washington’s code, alleging that it conflicted with federal law, despite that fact that the code gives builders the flexibility to pick from a large range of energy efficiency options.
Report: Washington's TransAlta Coal Plant Ranked 125th Nationally in Release of the Toxic Metal
A chorus of calls for TransAlta to reduce emissions increased in volume this morning as a Seattle-based coalition released a report detailing what it called an “extremely dangerous” level of mercury roughly one month before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose new mercury emission requirements.
Welcome Lynne Dial, the Coalition's new Policy Associate
Please join us in welcoming Lynne Dial to the NW Energy Coalition. Lynne is the new Policy Associate based in the Seattle office. She comes to us from the Energy Efficiency Services group at Puget Sound Energy where she was an energy education facilitator.
Does Your Outlet Need Centralia?
A new article by the Sightline Institute debunks the notion that the Centralia Coal plant is needed to provide 10 percent of Washington state’s energy needs.
The Missoulian: Measure looks to deter tiered energy rates for conservation efforts
Coalition staffer Diego Rivas is quoted in this article on a new bill in the Montana legislature that looks to specify that tiered or “inverted block” utility rates meant to promote energy conservation should only be allowed if they reflect the utility’s actual costs.
NPR Posts Positive Poll for Clean Energy in Northwest
Wind farm developers may be cheered by the results from a new public radio poll. It found broad support for wind energy among both urban and rural Northwest residents. The finding comes amidst nagging opposition to some new wind farms from upset neighbors. The opinion survey was a collaboration of the Northwest Health Foundation, the polling firm Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall and public radio stations across the Northwest.
ABC News: Judge rules lawsuit against Mont. coal lease can go on
A state judge on Monday gave environmentalists a green light to press forward with their challenge of Montana’s lease of 587 million tons of state-owned coal to a St. Louis company.
Read the full story at ABCNews.com