Washington
Take action: Tell the Senate to support energy efficiency standards
Washington could join California and Oregon in setting strict efficiency standards for several classes of appliances. House Bill 1100 passed the state House in February and now awaits consideration in the state Senate. The bill is expected to face tough going in the Republican-controlled Senate given prior opposition to state standards and the party-line vote in the House. Please urge your state senator to support HB 1100!
Unclouding the Council's crystal ball: What we look at changes everything
Scenario planning lies at the heart of the analysis used to develop the 7th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council wants your help in selecting and shaping the scenarios to be used. The 7th Plan will guide utilities’ energy choices, theoretically for the next 20 years and practically for at least five. Please look over the proposed scenarios and let the Council – and us – know which ones they must consider seriously while developing the 7th Plan.
Senate bills attack Washington state's clean energy standards
Are you getting tired of continual efforts to undermine the state’s incredibly successful clean energy law, Initiative 937? Well, here they come again. The Washington State Senate is about to vote on a slew of bills to slash I-937’s goals and standards. Tell your state senator to protect our clean energy law and our clean energy future. Vote NO on Senate Bills 5089, 5090, 5094, 5430, 5735 and 5842!
Tell BPA to fulfill its energy efficiency commitments
Your help is needed to bolster Bonneville Power Administration’s commitment to energy efficiency. BPA is examining energy efficiency financing issues as part of a supplemental budget process and has floated two troublesome proposals: one to cut $10 million from the efficiency budget over the next rate period; the other to shift from capitalizing energy efficiency to expensing it. BPA needs to hear from stakeholders throughout the region that both of these ideas run counter to the region’s best interests.
Clean Energy Choice Act builds on I-937 success
State Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) has introduced HB 2073 to enhance the consumer and health benefits of Washington’s new renewables and energy efficiency law, Initiative 937. Fey’s Clean Energy Choice Act provides a framework for discussion of new resource development after 2020, when I-937’s new renewables standard plateaus at 15 percent.
Climate Solutions blog: Protecting Washington's clean energy commitment
The vision laid out in a new, comprehensive approach to reforming I-937, called the Clean Energy Choice Act (HB 2073), addresses the needs of utilities to serve load at low costs while ensuring that every time a fossil fuel contract comes due, it is replaced by clean energy. Megawatt by megawatt, the Clean Energy Choice Act will transition our fossil-powered grid to one served by renewable energy. This legislation deserves a hearing and vote, and should be the starting point for any post-2020 proposal going forward.
Lower load growth expectations for 7th Plan don't reduce importance of energy efficiency
Northwest Power and Conservation Council staff expect significantly slower growth in energy demand over the next 20 years than was predicted in the 6th regional power plan five years ago. This means we can meet an even higher percentage of new load with energy efficiency – saving more money for families and businesses, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cleanly powering our growing fleet of electric vehicles. Realizing those savings, and their benefits, will be a primary 7th Plan goal for clean and affordable energy advocates throughout the Northwest.
MLB.com: Safeco first MLB park to illuminate field with LED lights
The baseball stadium’s new system will reduce glare and improve the overall atmosphere. The LED lamps last over 100,000 hours, or more than 30 years, compared to about 3,000 hours for metal halide lamps. And unlike the old lights, which needed a 20-minute warmup, LED lights respond instantly when switched on. The conversion will reduce energy consumption for field lighting by 60 to 70 percent.
Webinar on utility-scale wind and natural gas peaking plants this Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m. PST
As part of developing the region’s 7th Power Plan, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s power committee is holding a webinar on specific generation resources tomorrow — Thursday, Jan. 29 — from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pacific time. The posted agenda items are (1) assessment of natural gas natural gas peaking plants (single-cycle combustion turbines or SCCTs and reciprocating engines) and (2) assessment of onshore utility-scale wind.
Washington and Idaho members will lead the Northwest Power and Conservation Council in 2015
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council this month elected Washington and Idaho members to lead the four-state energy and fish and wildlife planning agency in 2015. Phil Rockefeller, appointed to the Council in 2011 by then-Governor Christine Gregoire, was elected chair of the Council. In 2014, Mr. Rockefeller served as chair of the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Committee. The Council also elected Idaho member Bill Booth as vice chair. Mr. Booth previously served in several Council leadership positions including two terms as chair, in 2008 and 2009.