Policy
Webinar: Wildfire and Utilities
This webinar covered the intersection between wildfire and utilities, policymakers, and communities. Increased fire risk is threatening communities as utilities work to mitigate risk and policymakers are deciding how to regulate them. We explored this intersection, and the role advocates can play in the development of utility regulations, legislation, and wildfire mitigation plans that will…
Read MoreFeb. 2025 Newsletter – Save the date for our spring conference, updates from NW Energy Coalition
Spring 2025 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference: Missoula, May 7 Join the NW Energy Coalition this spring in Missoula for our Clean & Affordable Energy Conference! We’ll have three panel discussions throughout the day featuring dialogue from experts in Montana on moving a clean energy transition forward. Panelists will talk about how Tribal communities are…
Read MoreWashington Utilities and Transportation Commission Issues Puget Sound Energy Risk-Sharing Order for Natural Gas Climate Commitment Act: Impact and Implications
By Will Gehrke, Senior Technical Analyst, NW Energy Coalition NWEC, Climate Solutions, and Washington Conservation Action, represented by Earthjustice, intervened in a UTC proceeding to propose a risk-sharing mechanism for Puget Sound Energy’s costs of complying with the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The UTC issued a Final Order on Friday, February 21, 2025. Background: The Climate…
Read MorePathways Initiative and EDAM Update: California Legislation Introduced
NW Energy Coalition2/21/2025Contact: Jill Wasberg, 206-790-8151, jill@nwenergy.orgBen Otto, 208-724-1585, ben@nwenergy.org Day-Ahead Energy Market related legislation was introduced in California on February 20, 2025. The California unions for utility and electrical workers, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Environmental Defense Fund are working with the legislative sponsors. Recall the core barrier to prior efforts to create a…
Read MorePress release: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves the design of Markets+; BPA should recognize that Extended Day Ahead Market is the best choice for the region
For Immediate Release Thursday, January 16, 2025 Seattle – On Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the design of Markets+, one of two day-ahead markets being developed in the west. The FERC decision is just one procedural step as the Bonneville Power Administration and Northwest utilities continue to review the…
Read MoreRegulatory tools to advance affordability in utility costs
By Mike Goetz With the rising tide of inflation, increases in the cost of commodity goods, and energy infrastructure costs going up, the Northwest has an energy affordability challenge. With nearly 44% of U.S. households defined as low-income according to U.S. Department of Energy statistics in 2023, many customers are forced to make difficult decisions…
Read MorePathways Initiative’s Step One Proposal for Governance of a West-Wide Energy Market
A single, unified energy market in the West is essential to unlock the clean energy resource potential of the West, enable efficient use of our infrastructure, and maintain a reliable and affordable energy system. The West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative is a collaborative, multi-step effort to create this connected, independently governed Western energy market, as discussed…
Read MoreThe path for gas utility decarbonization in Washington state
The transition from gas to electricity is well underway in Washington state in response to both climate change and bold state policies designed to address it. State climate policies set progressive targets, like the Clean Energy Transformation Act requiring 80% of electric utilities’ resources to be clean (renewable or non-emitting) by 2030 and 100% clean…
Read MorePathways Initiative addresses the key challenge to a West-wide electricity market
This blog post discusses the latest developments in creating a single, unified West-wide market – essential for keeping rates affordable, improving reliability, and meeting our clean energy and decarbonization goals. For an introduction to energy markets, we highly recommend checking out our Markets Month series (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3). Pathways Initiative addresses…
Read More2024 Washington Legislative Session Wrap Up
This year’s “short” legislative session ended on March 7th. Despite the abbreviated timeline, a flurry of bills created a busy year for advocates and legislators in Olympia. This year, the Coalition focused its advocacy on decarbonizing the energy sector, implementing the new Transportation Electrification Strategy, and solar consumer protections. Here’s a snapshot of some wins in…
Read More