PGE’s Smart Grid Test Bed pioneers customer-side resources

Achieving a low-carbon or no-carbon energy system isn’t just a matter of switching our sources of electricity from coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants to wind and solar power.  It’s also about embracing more energy efficient houses, buildings, and appliances that reduce our need for electricity.  And it’s about engaging new resources, many of them…

Read More

NW solar industry lags in workforce diversity

New report suggests how employers, governments, and labor can collaborate to match employer needs with qualified candidates of color A new Solar Foundation report that was supported by the NW Energy Coalition finds that only about one in ten solar industry jobs in Washington and Oregon is held by a person of color.  For management…

Read More

Jessie Dye receives Doug Still Community Organizing Award

A note from executive Director, Nancy Hirsh, about Doug Still Memorial Community Organizing Award winner, Jessie Dye of Earth Ministry: The Doug Still Memorial Community Organizing Award honors individuals and organizations for engaging citizens in action for a clean and affordable energy future. It is named for Doug Still, a founding member of the NW…

Read More

Colstrip Units 1 & 2 to retire at year end

This morning, Talen Montana, the operator and co-owner with Puget Sound Energy of Colstrip units 1 and 2, announced that the units will be retired at year-end.  The retirement will remove a major emitter of greenhouse gases and air pollution from the Northwest energy system and, by freeing up transmission capacity from eastern Montana to…

Read More

Washington’s groundbreaking climate package examined

8 bills that transform Washington’s energy system Click here to download the NWEC 2019 Washington State Legislative Digest for energy-related bills Click here to download the NWEC digest for E2SSB 5116, the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Bill, better known as the 100% Clean Electricity bill. Click here to download the NWEC digest for HB 1257,…

Read More

What will it take to restore salmon and save orca whales?

Simpson says region must ask “what if?” lower Snake River dams are removed Will Washington legislature follow suit? BOISE, IDAHO — Republican Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho energized a conference audience in Boise on Tuesday by declaring the need for the Northwest to explore the implications of removing four lower Snake River dams in order…

Read More

Please join us in celebrating!

(Nancy is traveling, but she asked me to send the following message on her behalf. S.O’L.) Hi, After a long time and a great deal of effort, just now, the Washington legislature passed the third bill in the trio of NW Energy Coalition priorities for this session – the 100% Clean Electricity (SB 5116) bill, which assures that over…

Read More

The need for lower Snake River dam stakeholder forum

The Seattle Times has published an op-ed titled, “Restore the Snake River? Stakeholder talks are the right next step”  by Sam Mace of Coalition member Save Our wild Salmon.  Sam makes the case for state funding for a proposed lower Snake River dam stakeholder forum.  The forum would give Washington communities a voice in examining the…

Read More

Clean energy on a roll in Washington legislature

Buildings and Appliance bills pass WA Senate Climate bills on a winning streak in Olympia The Washington legislature is well on its way to passing an unprecedented body of climate legislation that will, when fully enacted, address nearly every major source of climate pollution, including the electric system, the transportation sector, buildings, and appliances. At…

Read More

WA House passes 100% Clean Electricity

Today, SB 5116, the 100% Clean Electricity bill, passed the Washington House of Representatives by a vote of 56-42.The bill will now go back to the Senate, which has already passed a slightly different version, for concurrence. When finally enacted, SB 5116 will put Washington’s electric system on a path to become free of carbon…

Read More