By Region
Billings Gazette article: PSC approves NW Energy's $870M purchase of PPL's hydro dams
On Thursday, Montana’s Public Service Commission approved Northwestern Energy’s proposed $870 million purchase of 11 hydroelectric dams. While the purchase provides stability and clean energy for NorthWestern Energy customers, it will lead to a rate increase of about 5%. NorthWestern still needs final approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Read MorePioneer energy efficiency data analyst Nancy Hersh to keynote Coalition conference Nov. 7 in Portland
The NW Energy Coalition is very excited to announce that Nancy Hersh, head of Opower’s analytics team, will keynote the Coalition’s Fall NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland Nov. 7. A Coalition member organization, Opower is the global leader in developing software and analyzing data to support energy efficiency efforts.
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition and other Clean Energy Scenarios Stakeholders submit comments on PacificCorp's Integrated Resource Plan
The “Clean Energy Scenarios Stakeholders” (NW Energy Coalition, HEAL Utah, Idaho Conservation League, Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, Powder River Basin Resource Council, Renewable Northwest and Sierra Club) have submitted comments for the PacificCorp’s 2015 IRP modeling process concerning proposed carbon price and solar PV scenarios. Click here to read the comments.
Read MoreGroup comments on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's Draft Fish and Wildlife Program
On July 24, 14 groups submitted comments to the NPCC regarding its draft fish and wildlife program. Click here to read the group comments.
Read MoreCoalition member group Seinergy reaches milestone
One of the NW Energy Coalition’s newest members, Seinergy, based in Washington state has reached one million kWh of documented energy savings. These savings represent voluntary upgrades in residential homes throughout western Washington. Some savings have been claimed by participating utilities to satisfy state conservation mandates.
Read MoreKelsey Jae Nunez named executive director of Snake River Alliance
After a rigorous national search and interview process, the Snake River Alliance Board of Directors has hired Kelsey Jae Nunez as the Alliance’s new Executive Director. Nunez, who will assume her leadership of the Alliance in her new capacity on August 11, replaces Liz Woodruff, who left the Alliance this month to pursue other opportunities and challenges in the Idaho nonprofit sector.
Read MoreCrosscut article: Are the feds simply shielding Columbia River dams from wrecking balls?
Conservation groups, tribes, fishing groups and the state of Oregon are taking the federal government to court again because its Biological Opinion (BiOp), regarding Columbia River hydro operations, inadequately address the needs of the river’s 13 endangered salmon species. Despite previous rulings in the plaintiff’s favor, the federal government has delayed making court-ordered improvements to the BiOp.
Read MoreOregonian article: Carbon limits and skeptical regulators force new scrutiny of PacifiCorp coal plant investments
The Oregon Public Utility Commission has concerns regarding PacifiCorps’ continued investments in coal-fired power plants. Regulators insist that the company should consider climate regulations and explore clean energy alternatives in the next iteration of its long-term resource plan.
Read MoreWashington utilities report they're exceeding their I-937 energy efficiency targets — again
Initiative 937 keeps paying off with record energy savings for customers of Washington state’s largest utilities. The 17 electric utilities covered by Washington’s Clean Energy Initiative have reported they’ve exceeded their Initiative 937 energy efficiency targets for 2012-13, collectively shattering their record savings total from the previous 2-year period (“biennium”).
Read More32 groups sign letter to BPA on low-income energy efficiency
Thirty-one community action agencies, clean energy businesses, environmental advocates and other public-interest groups have joined the NW Energy Coalition in urging the Bonneville Power Administration to improve energy efficiency services to low-income families. BPA can help its customer utilities better serve their low-income populations by providing energy efficiency programs that will lower their bills and reduce shut-offs.
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