News
Economic boost awaits transmission upgrades in Idaho
From the Times-News comes this article about how Idaho and other western states may need to invest millions of dollars in transmission lines to continue producing and selling renewable energy.
Oregon's Bill Bradbury appointed to Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury has been appointed by Governor Kulongoski to the position being vacated by Melinda Eden on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
You can read the full story online at The Oregonian.
Seattle City Light's new video contest targets "Energy Vampires"
Halloween is just around the corner and Seattle City Light is holding a “Slay Your Energy Vampires” video contest to celebrate…
Isolated green buildings won't save the planet
From CNN: Architect Joshua Prince Ramus talks about how new buildings should be energy efficient but that alone won’t save environment.
US energy use is dropping and shifting to renewables
A new report shows that the US energy economy has shifted away from coal over the last year at a pace faster than the declining economy would predict.
The Transformer – August 18, 2010
How green is my electron? Overcoming the smart grid’s color blindness
Energy journals and, increasingly, the popular media now teem with updates and predictions on developing “smart grid” technologies … how they will help smooth power demand, greatly improve efficiency and outage/service response, and reward consumers with lower bills.
This issue of The Transformer tackles the question of why the smart grid isn’t necessarily a green grid and, in fact, could actually foster greater demand for power from coal-fueled or nuclear baseload plants. It also presents one proposed means of dealing with the problem: buying green electrons…
Editorial: Columbia River salmon: The fishermen's plan is starting to work
Bob Rees of the Northwest Guides and Anglers Association has an editorial in The Oregonian today on how changes to the dam system recommended by scientists and fishermen are bringing back wild salmon. But we still have farther to go.
Real-time NW wind display courtesy of BPA
The public can now view a new online display of wind and other data the Bonneville Power Administration uses to monitor weather conditions that drive the growing amount of wind energy generated in the Northwest.
Washington State Sen. Kilmer honored for Efficiency First advocacy
Washington State Senator Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) has been honored by the NW Energy Coalition for his legislative advocacy of energy efficiency.
Kilmer received his award from Coalition executive director Sara Patton during a brief ceremony July 20. The resolution of commendation conferred by the Coalition Board of Directors notes Kilmer’s “leadership and advocacy for super efficient energy codes, innovative energy performance standards and efficiency standards for public buildings.”
Next for up Boardman: natural gas
The Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon talks about the eventual shutdown of the Boardman coal-fired power plant and what might replace the power it generates. You can read the article here.