Newsletter
Photos from the 2013 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Boise
The Coalition’s NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference was held on May 31 – June 1 in Boise, Idaho. The conference focused on the region’s greatest clean energy opportunities and challenges and featured experts from Idaho and across the Northwest. Follow the link to see photos of some of the highlights of the Conference.
Boise talk show focuses on Coalition's May 31 conference
NW Energy Coalition executive director Sara Patton and former Coalition chair Ken Miller of Idaho’s Snake River Alliance discussed the upcoming NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference on the “Building a Greener Idaho” program on Radio Boise, KRBX 89.9 FM. The show is produced by the US Green Building Council Idaho Chapter, and USGBC-Idaho executive director Charlie Woodruff anchored the program. Listen online…
The Spokesman-Review Guest Opinion: Clean energy incentives keep spurring growth
Seven years ago, Washington voters made the smart choice to invest in the state by supporting renewable energy. Washington voters passed Initiative 937, which created a clean energy standard. The law requires the state’s large electric utilities to incrementally increase their electricity from new renewable resources to 15 percent by 2020. This choice has paid off.
But, there are those in the Legislature who would dismiss this success by weakening the voter-backed initiative in a way that removes smart incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy…
Idaho Statesman Reader's View, Idaho Power: Company needs to explain coal decision
Rocky Barker got it right in his April 30 column: Idaho Power faces profound changes in how it does business.
Burning coal to make electricity, for instance. As Idacorp shareholders convene Thursday for the company’s annual meeting, they face an urgent question not on their agenda. As utilities nationwide shed coal plants due to what Idaho Power says is coal’s uncertain future, why is it doubling down on coal?
Celebration, film showings honor Headwaters Award winners
A pair of leaders who played pivotal roles in restoring two great Northwest rivers have received prestigious Headwaters Awards from the NW Energy Coalition.
Former American Rivers northwest regional director Katherine Ransel and Seattle Audubon Society executive director Shawn Cantrell were honored at an April 24 celebration at Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum. Some 50 clean energy supporters attended the festive event, which was co-sponsored by the Save Our wild Salmon coalition.
![Image of a worker looking at the glass of a solar panel. In the background you can see Wind Turbines. Two different technologies to produce energy in a responsible and sustainable way (ISO 100) . All my images have been processed in 16 Bits and transfer down to 8 before uploading. [url=http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=7053550] [img]http://www.ll28.com/istock/solarpanel.jpg [/img][/url]](https://nwenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/iStock_000014461752sml.jpg "Examining the glass")
Businesses urge Wash. Governor Inslee to extend renewable sales and use tax exemption
Thirteen renewable energy companies and advocacy groups issued a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee today urging support of Senate Bill 5896. If passed, the bill would extend the renewable sales and use tax exemption, which has provided a tangible incentive for clean energy businesses to locate their projects in the state. The policy will otherwise expire in June.
Idaho energy updates from Coalition member Snake River Alliance
Idaho Power received a surprise earlier this month when its majority partner in its Nevada coal plants announced plans to get out of the coal generation business, customers just received the bad news from Idaho Power that their rates will rise this summer due in part to poor river flows and power generation and more news inside…
Future Energy Conference: PacifiCorp, NW Energy Coalition experts address efficiency | Sustainable Business Oregon
Utility experts told attendees of the Future Energy Conference that their industry faces several questions as customers, in looking to reduce their various energy footprints, demand more efficient options.
Wendy Gerlitz, a senior policy analyst with the Coalition, offered five key questions for utilities, and their business customers, to use when analyzing energy efficiency offerings…
High-benefit, low-cost efficiency bill dies in Washington state Senate
A commonsense, non-controversial bill that would have cut $60 million a year from Washingtonians’ utility bills died today in the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications committee.
Committee chair Senator Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) opted against calling for a vote on Substitute House Bill 1017, Equipment Efficiency Standards, prior to the 10 a.m. cutoff. Failure to advance the bill is a great disservice to families and businesses throughout the state…
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Washington state media lends support to energy efficiency
Two major Washington media outlets have come out in support of energy efficiency and Senate/House Bill 1017. The measure sets efficiency standards for those ubiquitous battery chargers used by the growing number of electronic devices in our homes, as well as industrial and recreational chargers for forklifts and golf carts. The worst of these chargers waste up to 60 percent of the electricity they consume.
Ron Simms on I-937: People power means clean power for the people of Washington state
Washington voters in 2006 approved the state’s clean-energy law, Initiative 937, setting new standards for energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. It was a vote for clean energy, new economic investment and a brighter future.
If you’re following the state legislative session, you might think voters were mistaken. Our legislators introduced more than 20 bills to amend or gut the law this year alone. But while some legislators seem to think I-937 is bad for Washington, I’m with the governor in recognizing that it’s good for the economy, good for consumers and good for the environment…