Washington
Energy Efficiency bills advance in Oregon and Washington
With so much focus on the plunging cost of solar power, wind power, and now storage as well, it’s sometimes hard to remember that energy efficiency is still our most const-effective and production alternative energy resource, accounting for nearly 40% of all the carbon emission reductions we’ve achieved in the last decade. That’s why it’s…
Read MoreClean utilities and carbon pricing bills advance in Washington legislature
Yesterday HB 2402 the Washington Clean Utilities Act and SB 6203, Governor Jay Inslee’s carbon pricing bill, were passed out of their respective House and Senate committees. The passage of these bills out of committee is a necessary step toward achieving two important policy goals: Continuing to clean up our electric system by advancing renewable…
Read MoreCoalition supports Washington Clean Utilities Act.
HB 2402, the Washington Clean Utility Act, will ensure that progress on greenhouse gas reduction and growth in Washington’s clean energy economy don’t come to an end when existing renewable portfolio and energy efficiency standards top out in the year 2020. Sponsored by Delegates Gael Tarleton, Vandana Slatter, Nicole Macri, Gerry Pollet, and Beth Doglio, HB…
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition encouraged by SB 6203, Gov. Inslee’s carbon bill
SEATTLE, WA – Washington Governor Jay Inslee has proposed SB 6203, a carbon pricing bill that, if enacted, will over time reduce the state’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels, accelerate the transition to clean and affordable renewable resources, stimulate the state’s already growing clean energy economy, and help ensure that the benefits of the transition…
Read MorePSE plan to cut emissions is a positive first step. More are needed
Today, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced a plan to reduce by 50% greenhouse gas emissions from its electricity generating and natural gas operations. Nancy Hirsh, executive director of the NW Energy Coalition, congratulated PSE on its effort to cut emissions and also expressed hope that PSE will make specific commitments to increasing energy efficiency and customer…
Read MoreWashington UTC issues historic order in PSE rate case
An important step toward a clean energy future in the Northwest OLYMPIA, Washington — Yesterday the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved a settlement and issued a final decision on contested issues in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rate case. The Commission decision allows PSE to recover costs for the eventual closure and clean-up of four…
Read MoreSolar Plus Northwest aims to triple region’s solar energy resources
The NW Energy Coalition has joined a broad coalition of stakeholders in supporting Solar Plus, an in initiative that’s working to triple the amount of solar energy installed in Washington and Oregon by 2019. The Solar Plus project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and brings together utilities, environmental…
Read MoreUpdated “50 States of Grid Modernization” report available
New report summarizes grid modernizations actions and proposals in all 50 states. The Department of Energy recently concluded that electric system reliability and resiliency are at risk due to the loss of what it calls “baseload” power resources — primarily coal-fired and nuclear. That claim has been largely debunked, but it raises the question of…
Read MorePacific NW Low Carbon Scenario Analysis presentation available
Arne Olson and E3 (Energy + Environmental Economics) have prepared a new study evaluating the effectiveness and cost of various policy approaches for achieving deep decarbonization of the electricity generating system in the Northwest. The approaches evaluated include carbon taxation and “cap and trade”, a prohibition on new natural gas development, increases in renewable portfolio…
Read MoreNatural Gas, Utility Biz Model Reform, & Just Transition at the Fall 2017 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference
The Fall 2017 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference was held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Seattle Hilton. More than 200 attendees gathered to explore issues related to energy, climate, and just transition and to network with colleagues from industry, advocacy organizations, and government. The following is a digest of the conference’s three major sessions…
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