By Region
Oregonian 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.
Washington 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”).
32 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.
NWEC IPR Comments, July 15, 2014
NWEC IPR Comments 7.15.2014[1]
NEEA board adopts new 5-year strategic plan with lean budget, leaving long-term energy savings at risk
Despite hundreds of individual comments and letters, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance board has decided to stick with a budget almost 30% percent below the previous 5-year budget. The NW Energy Coalition and other clean energy advocates will work to ensure that NEEA maintains its effectiveness and helps the region achieve all the cost-effective energy efficiency we can get to reduce climate pollution and consumers’ bills. This is not the time to retreat on energy efficiency, our cheapest, cleanest and quickest new energy resource.
NW Energy Coalition seeking half-time policy staff
The Coalition is seeking a half-time Policy staff person. The level of the position will be determined by experience and qualifications of the individual hired. This position can be located in Seattle or Olympia and will focus on energy efficiency policy and program implementation, as well as other utility regulatory issues.
Efficiency-boosting mechanism for PSE moving ahead
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Murphy has rejected the primary challenges to an historic regulatory ruling that will allow Puget Sound Energy to reduce consumers’ energy use without undermining its financial health. PSE will be on a course to increase electricity savings by at least 5% from its already robust conservation programs. PSE will make available an additional $500,000 for weatherization of low-income homes. The order also requires the utility to increase its low-income bill assistance funding by $1.5 million.
4 Under Forty honoree Gus Takala touts energy efficiency in EnergyBiz column
Takala argues that a strong in-house energy efficiency department is necessary for utilities to provide quality customer service. He says that utilities are uniquely suited to help customers take advantage of energy efficiency investments, but this will require them to move beyond just capital investments into territories such as behavior and operation and maintenance programs.
Op-Ed: Colstrip is neither cheap nor reliable for Montanans
In her Hungry Horse News op-ed, Anne Hedges of the Montana Environmental Information Center asserts that energy efficiency and renewable energy are more reliable than the aging Colstrip coal-fired power plant. Hedges claims that it’s time for Montana’s Public Service Commissioners to push NorthWestern Energy to replace Colstrip with clean energy sources because it will save customers money and create jobs in the long-run.
4 Under Forty celebration a huge success!
We are so happy many people in the Seattle area could join us last week to recognize and thank the Four Under Forty honorees for the outstanding work they do every day. The evening was a great success! All of us were moved by the honorees’ stories, by the words of support for the Coalition, and by the contributions from so many to sustain our clean energy work.