By Region
Idaho Energy Update, Jan. 13
The latest Idaho Energy Update from Snake River Alliance’s Ken Miller addresses Idaho Power’s flagging commitment to energy efficiency and its continuing opposition to wind power. This edition of the Idaho Energy update contains articles regarding Idaho Power’s energy efficiency programs, its qualms about wind generation, and footage of the bus that crashed into its headquarters.
Read MoreBPA wins Platts Global Energy Award for grid optimization
BPA wins a prestigious award for its build out of the largest, most sophisticated synchrophasor network in North America.
The Bonneville Power Administration’s development of the most sophisticated synchrophasor network in North America landed the agency its first ever Platts Global Energy Award, the most coveted awards in the energy industry.
Read MoreGuest opinion: Columbia River plan fails to protect salmon
Sam Mace’s guest opinion article in the Spokesman-Review highlights the shortcomings of the most recent draft Biological Opinion proposed by federal agencies regarding endangered Columbia River salmon. Mace remarks that the final plan should include an analysis of lower Snake River dam removal, provisions for an enhanced spill test, and climate change considerations.
“The best fall chinook salmon run in years has made this a banner season for Columbia Basin anglers. River towns, outfitters, shops and motels throughout our region have shared in this unexpected bounty. Unfortunately, the news about many of our region’s other salmon and steelhead populations is far less encouraging. And the future for all the basin’s endangered wild salmon remains very much in doubt.”
Read MoreMontana Attorney General should seek more facts, not less
In a Helena Independent Record column, Steve Charter, the newly elected chair of the Northern Plains Resource Council, describes how both Montana and Washington would benefit from a thorough review of the effects of a proposed coal port.
“Recently, Montana’s Attorney General sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Washington urging them not to study a proposed coal port’s impacts on Montana … [The] letter is in sharp contrast to the comments sent by several Montana towns, state legislators, public health boards, and more than 1,000 Montanans who asked that the impacts this coal port would have on Montana be included.”
Read more…
Governor Jay Inslee Honors Washington Industrial Energy Leaders
Governor Jay Inslee today honored five industrial companies in Washington for their outstanding leadership in improved energy performance at the second annual Washington Industrial Energy Leaders awards ceremony at the State Capitol.
“Energy efficiency means an improved bottom line for industries, and I am proud of the commitment toward innovative energy savings demonstrated by tonight’s awardees,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “A strong economy and a cleaner environment for future generations are certainly important, and a thriving industrial sector helps create and maintain jobs in our state”…
Read MoreDecember Idaho Energy Update from Snake River Alliance
The Idaho Energy Update is a periodic summary of Idaho energy and climate issues from Coalition member Snake River Alliance. It features updates from the Legislature and state agencies, Idaho’s utilities and regulators, and topical clean energy developments in Idaho and the Northwest – all designed to help you follow and participate in Idaho energy issues…
Read MoreVideo: Flathead Electric making use of solar, biomass projects
Flathead Electric Co-op and Stoltze lumber have entered into a 20 year deal to supplement some of FEC’s electricity with power generated from a new biomass boiler.
KPAX has the story of a couple of other projects the co-op is working on which could mean big things for power production in the future…
Read MoreGuest column: Montana needs fair access to renewable energy markets
Earlier this month, NorthWestern Energy officially dedicated its new 40-megawatt wind farm, Spion Kop, near Great Falls. The wind farm is already exceeding expectations and NorthWestern Energy deemed it a “phenomenal” energy resource providing cheap, clean energy for thousands of Montana households.
Spion Kop’s success is a timely reminder of Montana’s ability to contribute to the nation’s clean energy needs. Montana could potentially supply thousands of megawatts of cost-effective, clean energy to the Pacific Northwest, California and the Southwest…
Read the full article at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Read MoreConfronting Idaho Power's coal plans
The outcome of Idaho Power’s latest case at the Idaho Public Utilities Commission could affect the state’s energy picture for decades to come. If Idaho Power gets its way, the company and its customers will be married to a fleet of dirty coal plants for a very long time. Read more at the Snake River Alliance blog…
Read MoreIdaho Energy Update from Snake River Alliance
Idaho Power’s request to the Public Utilities Commission for approval of nearly $130 million in coal plant improvements is beginning to attract attention, and the public will have a chance to weigh in later this summer. Meanwhile, it turns out that Alternate Energy Holdings, the nomadic nuclear power plant developer, picked a Payette County reactor site that also happens to be home to a plant species the federal government says needs protection from activities such as nuclear power plants…
Read More