Policy
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…
Power plan assessment shows energy efficiency on track to meet regional goal
An assessment by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council shows that the efficiency of electricity use continues to improve and that the region is on track to meet the Council’s goal to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, development of renewable resources, mainly wind power, has continued but the pace may slow in the future.
Executive Director Sara Patton on BPA's next 75 years
For 75 years, the Bonneville Power Administration has been intrinsic to the growth and prosperity of the Northwest. BPA has been a boon to the Northwest’s economy and a clean energy leader. To meet the challenges – many unforeseeable — of the next 75 years, BPA must deepen its commitment to the long-term health of the region while becoming more open to all of its stakeholders. And it must be agile enough to respond to big changes…
Washington's SHB 1017 – Equipment Efficiency Standards
Good for the Consumer, Good for the Environment, Good for the Economy
Already, refrigerators, furnaces, exit signs, commercial hot-food holding cabinets and many more products are meeting federal or state efficiency standards. HB 1017 would add the next generation of low-cost, high benefit measures to Washington’s existing efficiency standards, saving energy, reducing water waste and saving millions of dollars on consumer utility bills..
Celebrating Washington's Clean Energy Success
Voters passed Initiative 937 in 2006 to build on Washington’s clean energy heritage. At the time, new renewable energy made up less than 1% of the region’s electricity mix, even…
WA environmental community announces its 2013 legislative priorities
Clean energy, toxic-free couches and kids’ products, and more funding for projects that protect the environment will be on legislators’ agendas for the 2013 legislative session in Olympia as Washington State’s Environmental Priorities Coalition announced its 2013 Priorities. These three Priorities are critical in protecting the state’s quality of life, creating Washington grown jobs, and preserving a better future for our children.
Comments of the NW Energy Coalition on the Sixth Power Plan Mid-Term Assessment – Situation Scan
The NW Energy Coalition appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the draft Situation Scan related to the Mid-Term Assessment of the Sixth Power and Conservation Plan. We appreciate all…
Idaho Statesman: Energy-efficiency success stories
J.R. Simplot Co. has embraced energy efficiency as a core business value. The Idaho food, fertilizer and chemical company has dramatically reduced its use of electricity and natural gas, saving millions of dollars annually.
The company says energy-efficiency improvements since 2009 have yielded natural gas savings of 1.3 trillion British thermal units and 390,821,028 kilowatt-hours of electricity. The electricity reduction is equivalent to taking 35,400 homes off the grid. The reduction also saved 95,056 tons of greenhouse-gas emissions, like taking 29,929 cars of the road.
Here are three other successes…Read more at the Idaho Statesman
PSE, Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor reach clean energy benchmarks
Regional electricity providers from Puget Sound Energy to Grays Harbor County Public Utility District recorded impressive accomplishments over the first reporting period for Washington’s clean energy law, Initiative 937. “These utilities should be commended for their energy efficiency achievements, which will save money for their customers,” said Nancy Hirsh, policy director for the Coalition.
ID Energy Update: A Win for Wind, A Loss for Efficiency
Read this and previous reports on Snake River Alliance’s website. Idaho Energy Update October 4, 2012 The Snake River Alliance has a new home in Boise! The Alliance…