NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference brings utility commissioners from all 4 Northwest states


NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference brings

utility commissioners from all 4 Northwest states

Utility regulation, salmon recovery, clean energy for buildings,
transmission/ecosystem issues on agenda Dec. 2-3 in Seattle
 

The NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference, set for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, in Seattle, will tackle some of the most pressing issues and fascinating developments in the campaign for a clean energy future. Register online today!

Experts from across the region will discuss:

  • The role of regulation in delivering clean energy
  • Solutions to the Northwest salmon crisis
  • The latest energy-saving technologies for new and old buildings
  • Integrating the Northwest transmission system into that of the greater West to facilitate renewable energy development while protecting ecosystems.

The conference – to be held at the Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue — is one of two each year presented by the NW Energy Coalition, a 30-year-old regional alliance of more than 110 organizations committed to energy efficiency and renewable energy, consumer/low-income protection and Columbia Basin salmon restoration.

Participants in the opening conference panel reflect the Coalition’s regional reach and policy clout. Public Utility Commissions: The role of regulation in delivering clean and affordable energy will feature public utility commissioners Paul Kjellander of Idaho, Travis Kavulla of Montana, Susan Ackerman of Oregon and Jeffrey Goltz of Washington. Coalition founding member Ralph Cavanagh of the Natural Resources Defense Council will moderate.

A presentation on progress toward establishing a solutions table on restoring salmon species endangered by the Northwest hydropower system will precede Jim Lazar’s luncheon address. Lazar, now an Olympia, Wash., consulting economist, was the Coalition’s first research director back in 1983. He’ll reflect upon the Coalition’s 30 years of clean energy advocacy.

The best new technology will be the focus of the post-lunch panel, New and existing buildings: Energy efficiency for the 21st century.

The day’s final panel will highlight the challenges of integrating the Northwest transmission system with that of the greater West to meet future transmission needs for renewable energy while protecting wildlife/wildlands.  West by Northwest: Energy, transmission and ecosystem challenges will bring together utility, Bonneville Power Administration, renewable energy industry and wildlife advocacy representatives for a spirited discussion moderated by Roger Hamilton of the Western Grid Group.

On Friday evening, the scene shifts to Seattle University’s Campion Hall where the region’s clean energy community will celebrate the Coalition’s 30th anniversary. For more information on NWEC’s 30th Anniversary Gala, see accompanying article.

Saturday’s activities start with a tour highlighting some exciting green initiatives at Safeco and CenturyLink baseball and football stadiums. After the tour come meetings of the Coalition’s state, provincial, utility and low-income member caucuses, a roundtable discussion on developing a new strategic plan for the Coalition, and the meeting of the full membership board.

For more information and to register for the NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference, go here. The cost is $75 for Friday only (including lunch) or $140 for both Friday and Saturday. Scholarships are available – call outreach director Cy Berryman at (206) 621-0094.