Fall 2025 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference

The NW Energy Coalition’s Fall Clean & Affordable Energy Conference returns on December 3 at Portland State University. Join utility leaders, policymakers, advocates, and energy experts from across the region to explore solutions for a reliable, equitable, and decarbonized energy future. 

This year’s conference will dive into some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the Northwest’s energy transition. We will:

• Explore how to meet rapidly growing electricity demand while maintaining reliability, protecting affordability, and achieving carbon reduction targets.
• Examine strategies for strengthening community and utility resilience in the face of extreme weather and wildfire risks, with a focus on protecting public health and advancing local energy solutions.
• Share insights into the latest research and innovations in transmission planning, from efficiency upgrades to new line proposals, and the vital role of state and Tribal leadership in shaping these efforts from the start. 

Be part of this timely discussion and solutions-focused conversation in Portland this December. 

Join us for a reception on December 3 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. following the main conference. 

NW Energy Coalition Members are encouraged to join us for the NWEC Member Meeting on December 2 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Portland State University. Member reception will be from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. that day. 

Sponsorship, scholarship, and volunteer opportunities are available. Please contact kasi@nwenergy.org.

Schedule

8:00 – 9:00: Registration and Networking Breakfast 

9:00 – 9:30: Welcome from NW Energy Coalition Executive Director, Tamara Kennedy 

9:30 – 10:50: Panel 1 – Extreme Weather Resilience and Utility System Preparedness 

10:50 – 11:20: Networking Break 

11:20 – 12:20: Table Top Discussion 

12:20 – 1:35: Lunch and Awards 

1:35 – 3:10: Panel 2 – Transmission Planning for a Modern, Reliable Grid 

3:10 – 3:40: Networking Break 

3:40 – 5:00: Panel 3 – Meeting Increasing Energy Demands in the Region 

5:00 – 7:00: Clean Energy Reception 

Panel 1: Extreme Weather Resilience and Utility System Preparedness 

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, from wildfires to heat waves. This panel will look at how utilities and communities can work together to reduce wildfire risks, strengthen local energy projects, and maintain access to essential services during emergencies. Panelists will share approaches to balancing investments in clean energy goals with system planning that supports community resilience and public safety. 

Panel 2: Transmission Planning for a Modern, Reliable Grid 

Modernizing the Northwest’s transmission system is essential for meeting clean energy goals and ensuring reliable service. This panel will review recent study findings, including the WestTEC and Montana to Northwest Corridor reports, as well as GridLab’s Right Sizing Transmission report, and explore new technologies that can improve the grid’s efficiency. Panelists will discuss what is needed, where upgrades are most critical, and how state and Tribal leadership can help guide these conversations early, before specific new transmission lines are proposed. 

Panel 3: Meeting Increasing Energy Demands in the Region 

Electricity demand in the Northwest is projected to grow faster than ever, raising questions about how to keep power reliable, affordable, and low-carbon. This panel will explore strategies for making the most of our existing infrastructure while adding new generation and transmission, managing costs for customers, and meeting state carbon reduction targets. Panelists will also discuss the roles of thermal generation, energy efficiency, demand management, distributed resources, and new renewables in meeting peak demand.