By Region
Group 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.
Coalition 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.
Kelsey 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.
Crosscut 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.
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.