Washington
Efficiency-boosting mechanism for PSE moving ahead
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Murphy has rejected the primary challenges to an historic regulatory ruling that will allow Puget Sound Energy to reduce consumers’ energy use without undermining its financial health. PSE will be on a course to increase electricity savings by at least 5% from its already robust conservation programs. PSE will make available an additional $500,000 for weatherization of low-income homes. The order also requires the utility to increase its low-income bill assistance funding by $1.5 million.
Read More4 Under Forty honoree Gus Takala touts energy efficiency in EnergyBiz column
Takala argues that a strong in-house energy efficiency department is necessary for utilities to provide quality customer service. He says that utilities are uniquely suited to help customers take advantage of energy efficiency investments, but this will require them to move beyond just capital investments into territories such as behavior and operation and maintenance programs.
Read More4 Under Forty celebration a huge success!
We are so happy many people in the Seattle area could join us last week to recognize and thank the Four Under Forty honorees for the outstanding work they do every day. The evening was a great success! All of us were moved by the honorees’ stories, by the words of support for the Coalition, and by the contributions from so many to sustain our clean energy work.
Read MoreFederal agencies squander chance for progress on Northwest salmon survival, send region back to court
Yesterday, 13 conservation and fishing groups filed a legal challenge of the latest federal plan for endangered Columbia and Snake River salmon. The organizations assert that the Obama administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) failed to address the core issues that triggered federal-court rejection of three previous plans, forcing another round of litigation just as momentum is building in the Northwest for a broadly supported stakeholder collaboration as an alternative to the courtroom.
Read More4 Under Forty Honoree Bios
Four young leaders, in bringing the benefits of clean and affordable energy to all of us, will be feted at the NW Energy Coalition’s 2nd annual 4 Under Forty celebration the evening of June 12 at Seattle’s Bullitt Center. The honorees are Tara Anderson (Sustainable Works), Jessica Finn Coven (Climate Solutions), Benjamin Otto (Idaho Conservation League) and Gus Takala (Puget Sound Energy).
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition to honor Seattle's first living building on June 12
For showing the tremendous potential of energy efficiency and on-site power generation in buildings, the Bullitt Foundation has earned the NW Energy Coalition’s coveted Headwaters Award. Foundation CEO Denis Hayes will accept the award during the Coalition’s 4 Under Forty event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12, to be held – appropriately – at the Bullitt Center.
Read MoreClean and affordable energy advocates petition NEEA board to maintain energy efficiency budget
Clean and affordable energy advocates sent a group letter to the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance board expressing concerns with the depth of proposed budget cuts. Earlier versions of NEEA’s budget and business plan were more consistent with the mission and goals of the organization and did not undercut the organization’s integrity.
Read MoreNW Energy Coalition to give first organizing award
In its 33-year history, the NW Energy Coalition has honored dozens of groups and individuals for their efforts in advancing clean and affordable energy policy across the region. But it has never honored someone specifically for their on-the-ground success in mobilizing grassroots support for those policy efforts. That glaring omission will be rectified on Thursday, June 12. As part of its 2nd annual 4 Under Forty celebration at Seattle’s Bullitt Center, the Coalition will bestow the inaugural Community Organizing Award on Kathleen Casey Ridihalgh, senior organizing manager for the Sierra Club.
Read MoreGroups assail BPA’s woefully low efficiency spending proposal
NW Energy Coalition and 29 other clean energy advocacy organizations and businesses submitted a group letter to the Bonneville Power Administration April 11, urging the agency to adequately fund energy efficiency it its FY 2016-2017 capital budget. The letter expressed concern that the proposed budget is inadequate to meet BPA’s legal obligations or to pursue the best interests of the region.
Read MoreWashington legislature: I-937 survives challenges while new clean energy bills stall; operating budget provides oddly mixed message
Thanks to the steadfast efforts of activists such as you, our Clean Energy Initiative 937 has weathered another stormy legislative session. Despite numerous bills to weaken its energy efficiency and new renewables standards, I-937 emerged from the session not only relatively unscathed, but in some ways strengthened.
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