Energy Activist Online
Proposed Puget Sound Energy Rate Case Provides Funds for Colstrip Transition
(The NW Energy Coalition along with Renewable Northwest released the following statement today in response to the filing of a proposed settlement in the Puget Sound Energy rate case at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.) SEATTLE, Wash. — A diverse group of parties has reached a proposed settlement in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) rate…
Member spotlight: Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association
The Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association is the NW Energy Coalition’s newest organizational member. A solar energy trade association, OSEIA collaborates with utilities, legislators, non-profits and academics to promote solar development in Oregon. OSEIA engages in community education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, market expansion and industry support. It is a crucial organizing association for solar industry professionals in Oregon.
Clean energy, consumer advocates outline good rate design principles
The NW Energy Coalition is among 32 consumer, clean energy and environmental organizations urging utility regulators to adopt uniform principles for making rate design changes. Northwest utilities, like others across the country, are reconsidering their business models as energy efficiency and consumer-owned distributed generation reduce electric demand. Many are considering higher fixed charges, minimum bills and other approaches that could impede progress toward a clean, affordable and equitable energy future.
Coalition conference featuring Montana governor and NorthWestern Energy CEO draws big crowd in Missoula
Overflow crowds greeted Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, NorthWestern Energy CEO Bob Rowe, and a host of renewable energy and energy efficiency advocates and providers at the Spring 2016 NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Missoula on May 19. More than 120 people from around the region attended this edition of the NW Energy Coalition’s twice-yearly conference, which rotates through Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana. Coalition members returned the next day to elect board members, select annual award winners and strategize.
Member spotlight: YMCA Earth Service Corps
To prepare the next generation of environmental leaders, the YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) helps young people from diverse backgrounds get outside, engage with their local community and gain tools to enhance the natural world. YESC empowers youth to create a healthier environment through education, service learning and leadership activities.
7th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan another stride toward clean energy future
In approving its seventh 20-year power plan on Wednesday, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council refilled the prescription to meet the region’s new electricity needs primarily with bill-shaving, emissions-avoiding, job-creating energy efficiency. The Council finds that acquiring 1,400 average megawatts of cost-effective energy efficiency in the plan’s five-year “action plan” period and 4,300 aMW by 2035 is the lowest cost and lowest risk strategy for meeting growth in electricity demand.
Member spotlight: Drive Oregon
Drive Oregon, the NW Energy Coalition’s newest organizational member, is a non-profit trade association dedicated to supporting Oregon’s electric vehicle (EV) industry and strengthening the state’s EV market. The organization recently began looking at electric utilities’ role in growing the EV market and developing supporting policies in Oregon. When the group learned that the Coalition had expanded its focus on EV policy across the region, Drive Oregon pursued Coalition membership to boost those efforts and to engage with key stakeholders.
Advocacy nets significant victory for energy efficiency, EV readiness at Washington’s Building Code Council
Washington state will have some of the nation’s strongest energy code provisions following key votes last November by the state Building Code Council. The NW Energy Coalition congratulates the many Northwest energy efficiency leaders who developed and supported strong changes to the energy code, especially Duane Jonlin for his tireless leadership in getting them approved.
Hundreds testify for clean energy and salmon provisions in 7th Northwest Power and Conservation Plan
A series of eight public hearings on the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s draft 7th Plan drew hundreds of clean energy, climate and endangered salmon advocates expressing support for the Council’s embrace of energy efficiency to meet virtually all new power demands through the plan’s 20-year horizon.
Hundreds turn out for engrossing, inspirational Fall 2015 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference and Awards Gala
To say the NW Energy Coalition’s Dec. 3-4 fall conference and 2015 awards gala were big successes would be a gross understatement. More than 150 people jammed the Washington State Conference Center in Seattle on Thursday to hear from a variety of panelists.