The Energy Activist – Spring 2012

‘All-in’ approach can avoid years of litigation,
address all stakeholders’ concerns

The founders of the NW Energy Coalition recognized a painful truth: that the bountiful cheap electricity produced by the Northwest’s system of federally financed hydropower dams came at the cost of the incredible wild salmon runs that once defined our watershed and supported myriad cultures and communities. So they made sure the 1980 Northwest Power and Conservation Act required equitable use of Columbia Basin waters for power and fish.

Since then, this Coalition and our partners have had to fight tooth and nail to realize even minimal progress on that mandate. To this day, the federal agencies that run the dams and market their power have failed to offer any legally valid or scientifically defensible plan for recovering the iconic and economically crucial salmon stocks.

The next few months offer exciting potential to escape that quicksand…


From the Executive Director:

Whatever they’re called, solutions tables work

The NW Energy Coalition strongly supports a Solutions Table on endangered Columbia Basin salmon, by which we mean comprehensive, multi-party stakeholder negotiations. I had to chuckle when I heard of a high-level federal civil servant’s discomfort with using the term “Solutions Table” to describe the effort. Apparently, the fed would be more comfortable with a “process” than a “table.”

“Solutions Table” evokes a clear and optimistic image. But make no mistake – a lot of work will be needed to bring all the necessary parties together and to forge solutions…


Your NWEC donation goes farther on May 2!

The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable giving event.

Make a donation to the NW Energy Coalition through GiveBIG any time before midnight (PST) on May 2 and the Coalition will receive pro-rated matching funds from the “stretch” pool.

GiveBIG on May 2!

Your investment:

  • Protects human health
  • Saves money for families and businesses
  • avoids climate pollution
  • Protects fish and wildlife

The Coalition advocates for:

  • Energy efficiency
  • New clean renewable energy
  • Weatherization and bill assistance for low-income families
  • Solutions for endangered Northwest salmon

You may click here to donate at any time. But your gift will go farther if you GiveBIG on Wednesday, May 2. You do not need to be a Washington resident to participate.


From the Outreach Director:

Enjoy clean air and clean energy
discussion this May in Kalispell

Each spring the NW Energy Coalition holds its semi-annual NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference and board meeting east of the Cascades. This May 18-19 we’ll be in Kalispell, Mont.

Kalispell is the perfect setting for a spring meeting. Nestled in the Flathead Valley in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it boasts beautiful outdoor scenery from Glacier National Park to Flathead Lake…


Coalition staff

Chuck Magraw
Board Chair%CODE1%Sara Patton
Executive Director%CODE1%Nancy Hirsh
Policy Director%CODE1%Marc Krasnowsky
Communications Director%CODE1%Cy Berryman
Outreach Director%CODE1%Lynne Dial
Policy Associate%CODE1%Danielle Dixon
Senior Policy Associate%CODE1%Kim Drury
Senior Policy Associate
Wendy Gerlitz
Senior Policy Associate%CODE1%Gwen Heisterkamp
Administrative Associate%CODE1%Fred Heutte
Senior Policy Associate%CODE1%Amy Peterson
Outreach Associate%CODE1%Diego Rivas
Montana Policy Associate%CODE1%Jesse Stanley
Outreach & Technology Associate%CODE1%Lilah Steece
Development Associate