NW Energy Coalition – For a clean and affordable energy future

The Spokesman-Review Guest Opinion: Clean energy incentives keep spurring growth

Seven years ago, Washington voters made the smart choice to invest in the state by supporting renewable energy. Washington voters passed Initiative 937, which created a clean energy standard. The law requires the state’s large electric utilities to incrementally increase their electricity from new renewable resources to 15 percent by 2020. This choice has paid off.

But, there are those in the Legislature who would dismiss this success by weakening the voter-backed initiative in a way that removes smart incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy…

Read the full opinion online at The Spokesman-Review

Idaho Statesman Reader’s View, Idaho Power: Company needs to explain coal decision

Rocky Barker got it right in his April 30 column: Idaho Power faces profound changes in how it does business.

Burning coal to make electricity, for instance. As Idacorp shareholders convene Thursday for the company’s annual meeting, they face an urgent question not on their agenda. As utilities nationwide shed coal plants due to what Idaho Power says is coal’s uncertain future, why is it doubling down on coal?

Read more at the Idaho Statesman

Join us in Boise to tackle the region’s greatest clean energy opportunities and challenges!

Please join us at the NW Clean & Affordable Energy Conference, May 31 – June 1 in Boise, Idaho. The conference will focus on the region’s greatest clean energy opportunities and challenges. Experts from Idaho and across the Northwest will discuss hot energy topics such as small-scale renewables, rural energy efficiency, and Columbia-Snake salmon recovery solutions…

Celebration, film showings honor Headwaters Award winners

A pair of leaders who played pivotal roles in restoring two great Northwest rivers have received prestigious Headwaters Awards from the NW Energy Coalition.

Former American Rivers northwest regional director Katherine Ransel and Seattle Audubon Society executive director Shawn Cantrell were honored at an April 24 celebration at Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum. Some 50 clean energy supporters attended the festive event, which was co-sponsored by the Save Our wild Salmon coalition.

Businesses urge Wash. Governor Inslee to extend renewable sales and use tax exemption

Thirteen renewable energy companies and advocacy groups issued a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee today urging support of Senate Bill 5896. If passed, the bill would extend the renewable sales and use tax exemption, which has provided a tangible incentive for clean energy businesses to locate their projects in the state. The policy will otherwise expire in June.