Washington
Testify on WA energy building codes on Oct. 16th in Olympia!
Washington state’s Building Code Council is considering a package of energy code improvements crucial to achieving the state goal of a 70% reduction in annual energy use by 2031. Despite their negligible costs and broad climate, comfort and energy-saving benefits, the proposals will likely draw opposition from some in the building industry and elsewhere. That’s why clean and affordable energy advocates must proclaim their support for these reasonable and cost-effective measures.
Coalition's comments voice strong support for 2015 Washington State Energy Code Proposals
The NW Energy Coalition expressed strong support for the 2015 Washington State Energy Code Proposals in the comments submitted to the Washington State Building Code Council. “Because increased energy efficiency…
Coalition honors I-937 architect with Headwaters Award
Former Coalition senior policy associate Danielle Dixon (left) receives the Headwaters Award from Coalition executive director Nancy Hirsh. The Headwaters is awarded annually to a member the NWEC’s extended family to recognize exceptional leadership for the a clean and affordable energy future.
Electric utilities are meeting renewable energy targets at a lower cost
Costs for meeting the state’s renewable energy targets are going down for all three of Washington’s investor-owned electric companies. The companies told the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) they are on track to meet the state’s renewable energy requirements, and are reporting lower costs to meet those requirements.
2015 legislative sessions challenging for Northwest clean energy advocates
Progress on clean and affordable energy met strong head winds in this year’s Northwest state legislatures. But we prevailed against yet more attempts to weaken or undo Washington renewable energy and energy efficiency standards law, Oregon’s public purpose charge and Montana’s renewable portfolio standard.
Coalition analysis: 7th Power Plan model minimizes looming coal plant costs, ignores out-of-region generators
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s 7th Plan will serve as a guide for choosing the best resources to meet electric needs over the next 20 years. A NW Energy Coalition issue paper, The True Cost of Coal: Fully accounting for coal-fired electricity use in the 7th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan, bares two shortcomings in the Council’s resource modeling that makes these polluting coal plants look cheaper than they are as a resource to meet the region’s needs.
The Tri-City Herald: Benton PUD’s solar panels producing savings for investors
The Benton Public Utility District showed off its Ely Community Solar Project to its customers Wednesday and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. An array of solar panels is lined up on the PUD property, visible from Highway 395 at the 10th Avenue intersection. The project has been operating since July 1, and those who invested will see savings on their next monthly electric bill.
Coalition, allies urge Council to push low-income energy efficiency in the 7th Plan
The NW Energy Coalition and several member organizations are urging a strengthened commitment to economic equity in the 7th Power Plan. In a July 8 letter, the groups note Bonneville Power Administration’s ongoing shortfall in extending the benefits of energy efficiency measures to low- and moderate-income families. All energy customers pay for utilities’ energy efficiency programs in their bills, but those on limited incomes often cannot take advantage of the product and services incentives those programs provide.
NW Council blog post – Northwest energy future: Efficient, low-cost, low carbon
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s recent blog post outlines the preliminary results of its 20-year scenario analysis modeling. The results indicate that investments in 3,800-4,500 aMW of energy efficiency are cost-effective over the next 20 years and will help the region meet new load growth; demand response will help meet winter peaking capacity requirements; and some new power generation may be needed to replace retiring coal plants.
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Coalition presents its two highest awards
In May, former NWEC executive director Sara Patton presented the Headwaters Award to Seattle’s Mary Smith. The award recognizes a member of NWEC’s extended family for outstanding achievements. The following day, current Coalition executive director Nancy Hirsh presented NWEC’s highest award, the Conservation Eagle, to the Coalition of Columbia Basin Tribes. The group, comprising 15 Northwest tribes, effectively advocated adding ecosystem function as a designated purpose of the Columbia River Treaty.