By Region
Low costs and lots of jobs: The economic impact of I-937
FACT VS. INFERENCE: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF WASHINGTON’S CLEAN ELECTRICITY STANDARD An analysis released in 2013 by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) and the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI), claimed that by the year 2020, Initiative 937, the Energy Independence Act, passed by voters in 2006, would cost Washington electricity customers more than…
A community adapts to life after coal
How a community, a company, and environmental groups are building the future Even before Centralia, Washington was founded, coal was being mined there. So, by the time the town was formally incorporated in 1886, the local mine was already its largest employer. Then, in 1971, Washington’s largest coal-fired power plant opened in Centralia and, between…
Thank you for fighting the good fight
What an effort! Yesterday’s election culminated an immense effort by thousands of people throughout the Northwest to effectively address issues of clean energy, climate change, equity, and affordability. Those efforts met with success in Portland with passage of the Portland Clean Energy Initiative and they did not in Washington where Initiative 1631 was defeated. Win…
Bruce Nilles to keynoteClean & Affordable Energy Conference Beyond Coal Campaign founder to discuss expanded areas of activism in new role at Rocky Mountain Institute SEATTLE, Washington — Bruce Nilles is relentless. Fifteen years ago he founded the Sierra Club’s highly successful Beyond Coal Campaign, which has helped retire a quarter of the nation’s coal fired…
I-1631: The people did it before and we’ll do it again!
I-1631, the clean air and clean energy measure, is critical for addressing climate change. Yet, a lot of loud voices are claiming the proposed carbon fee on fossil fuel polluters won’t do have much effect and costs will be passed through to customers. But, if they believe that, then why are the polluters — big…
NWEC Endorses Portland Clean Energy Initiative
After careful consideration and consultation with members, the NW Energy Coalition is proud to endorse Measure 26-201, the Portland Clean Energy Initiative (PCEI). The Coalition is united by a set of principles for a clean and affordable energy future and PCEI advances each of these goals: we seek to meet all new energy demand…
October 5 is Energy Efficiency Day! Here’s why it matters.
Why is there an Energy Efficiency Day? Because all of us, especially policymakers, need to be reminded that, as we pursue economic growth and jobs, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, a transition to a clean electric system, and affordable energy now and in the future, energy efficiency is doing the heavy lifting. We hear about…
Energy jobs are mostly in energy efficiency
E4The Future and Environmental Entrepreneurs have issued a new analysis that expands on a recent clean energy jobs report by drilling down on the role that energy efficiency jobs play in every state’s economy. Last May, the Energy Futures Initiative and the National Association of State Energy Officials published the 2018 U.S. Energy and Employment Report and…
New Shepherd’s Door Solar Sanctuary Project in Portland
Twende Solar, a not-for-profit organization that develops community solar projects in communities of need around the world, recently collaborated with the Portland Rescue Mission on the Shepherd’s Door Solar Sanctuary Project in Portland, OR. Shepherd’s Door is a sanctuary of peace and security for women and their children who are seeking a safe transition to healthy lifestyles. …
Heat Wave: Renewables pass a test, but greater challenges await
As the nation and parts of the Northwest swelter, at least one silver lining is emerging. The rise of renewable energy resources and the corresponding decline of fossil fuel resources have not compromised electric system reliability at a time when demand for electricity is hitting record highs. In the Northwest, temperatures have consistently topped 90…