Policy
NW Energy Coalition forest biomass resolution and guidance document
The Coalition’s forest biomass resolution and corresponding “Forest Biomass Guidance for Use in Electricity Production” was passed by the full board at the spring meeting on May 19. The guidance principles represent an important step in addressing many of the questions raised regarding the responsible use of the byproducts of forestry activities for energy generation. Below is a formatted PDF copy of the final guidance paper, which we hope you’ll feel free to share with any interested parties.
The document addresses the dearth of available policy guidance on this particular issue and represents an important step forward in engaging a variety of stakeholder viewpoints. While these documents are final for now, Coalition staff plan on keeping a close eye as new policy decisions and studies continue to emerge in this field. We look forward to keeping our members apprised as new information develops.
NW Energy Coalition Resolution on Forest Biomass for Electricity Generation – May 19, 2012
NWEC Forest Biomass Guidance for Use in Electricity Production
Coalition congratulates Flathead Electric Cooperative and Snohomish County PUD for energy efficiency awards
The NW Energy Coalition would like to congratulate Flathead Electric Cooperative and Snohomish County PUD for receiving a well-deserved Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award from the Bonneville Power Administration. We applaud and appreciate their regional leadership in energy efficiency and a low carbon future!
NW Energy Coalition praises conservation goal in Oregon governor’s draft 10-year energy plan
Gov. John Kitzhaber’s draft plan, released today, calls for meeting 100% of new power needs by getting more out of the power we already produce. That goal exceeds the 85% efficiency target established in 2010 by the region’s official power planning agency, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
“While the draft plan goal exceeds the Council’s region-wide target, it’s a practical goal that accurately reflects Oregon utilities’ ongoing achievements,” said NW Energy Coalition senior policy associate Wendy Gerlitz of Portland.
Coalition comments on BPA's Capital Investment Review process
The NW Energy Coalition writes to submit our comments on BPA’s draft asset strategies and potential investments in Federal Columbia River power and transmission assets. We first offer some general comments and then specifically focus attention on the investment levels outlined in the Asset Management Strategy for Energy Efficiency.
Montana conservationists say water quality near coal mines needs protection
Two conservation groups representing citizens and landowners in southeastern Montana filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that the state Department of Environmental Quality is not doing enough to protect streams from coal mining.
Attorneys for Coalition Members Montana Environmental Information Center and the Sierra Club sued in U.S. District Court in Helena over Colorado-based Westmoreland Coal Co. plans to expand the Rosebud mine near Colstrip…
Read the full article at GreatFallsTribune.com
Two recent videos highlight the economic benefits of energy efficiency investments
Coalition member Climate Solutions has released a series of videos that show how community based efforts to invest in energy efficiency in Spokane and Kitsap County, WA helped create local jobs and helped home owners and local governments save money even during a time of rising energy prices.
NWEC Comments on BPA's oversupply management procedure
The Draft Protocol proposes to address, all in one package, three separate but linked phases: (1) resolving the dispute over the cost shift onto renewable generators that occurred in 2011 as a result of the soon-expiring Interim Environmental Redispatch and Negative Pricing Policies adopted a year ago; (2) the need to address potential oversupply conditions in the oncoming spring and summer 2012 runoff period; and (3) a more permanent method for handling oversupply conditions in future years…
The Impact reports on the Clean Energy Initiative debate
Coalition Policy Director Nancy Hirsh is featured in this video segment looking at the current roster of proposed changes to Washington’s Clean Energy Initiative. %CODE1%
Fulfill Our Clean Energy Initiative
Washington’s Clean Energy Initiative (also know as I-937) was passed by voters in November 2006 and requires the state’s major electric utilities to gradually increase the amount of new renewable resources in their electricity supply to 15% by 2020.
Since 2006, The Clean Energy Initiative has generated about $7.5 billion in renewable energy investments in this state, especially in our struggling rural communities, and all-time-record efficiency savings for energy consumers. More investments, more savings and more jobs will come to us as long as we keep the pathway open…
Alliance Reports on Idaho Utilities’ Use of Coal-Fired Generation
The Snake River Alliance has released the first of two reports on the use of coal-fired generation by Idaho’s three electric utilities.
The report, “Idaho’s Dangerous Dalliance with King Coal,” notes that the utilities own or have a stake in no fewer than 29 out-of-state coal plants, the bulk of which are owned or partly owned by PacifiCorp, which does business in eastern Idaho as Rocky Mountain Power.