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NWEC IPR Comments, July 15, 2014
NWEC IPR Comments 7.15.2014[1]
Read MoreNEEA 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.
Read MoreNW 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.
Read MoreEfficiency-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.
Read More4 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.
Read MoreOp-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.
Read More4 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.
Read MoreFederal agencies squander chance for progress on Northwest salmon survival, send region back to court
Yesterday, 13 conservation and fishing groups filed a legal challenge of the latest federal plan for endangered Columbia and Snake River salmon. The organizations assert that the Obama administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) failed to address the core issues that triggered federal-court rejection of three previous plans, forcing another round of litigation just as momentum is building in the Northwest for a broadly supported stakeholder collaboration as an alternative to the courtroom.
Read More4 Under Forty Honoree Bios
Four young leaders, in bringing the benefits of clean and affordable energy to all of us, will be feted at the NW Energy Coalition’s 2nd annual 4 Under Forty celebration the evening of June 12 at Seattle’s Bullitt Center. The honorees are Tara Anderson (Sustainable Works), Jessica Finn Coven (Climate Solutions), Benjamin Otto (Idaho Conservation League) and Gus Takala (Puget Sound Energy).
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition to honor Seattle's first living building on June 12
For showing the tremendous potential of energy efficiency and on-site power generation in buildings, the Bullitt Foundation has earned the NW Energy Coalition’s coveted Headwaters Award. Foundation CEO Denis Hayes will accept the award during the Coalition’s 4 Under Forty event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, to be held – appropriately – at the Bullitt Center.
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