The Issues
The NW Energy Coalition tackles issues related to its four pillar objectives: securing all cost-effective energy efficiency, investing in new renewable energy, protecting energy consumers – especially low-income consumers, and restoring fish and wildlife harmed by the Northwest’s hydropower system. Specific issues and venues vary over time and geography, but all our actions point toward a future in which energy efficiency and new renewable energy meet all our growing power needs, benefiting energy users and enhancing wildlife and the environment. news & factsheets »
The Transformer
The Transformer is an online publication from the Energy Coalition offering in-depth analysis of policy discussions influencing the Northwest power system. news & factsheets »
Energy Matters Updates
Energy Matters Updates provide coverage and updates on current developments in the continuing push for a clean and affordable energy future, a future in which clean energy sources meet all new electricity demand, create local jobs, protect consumers and the environment, and replace polluting and climate-disrupting resources. news & factsheets »
6th Northwest Power Plan
Every five years, the Northwest’s official power planning agency – the Northwest Power and Conservation Council -- conducts a fresh assessment of the region’s long-term electricity needs and issues a blueprint for meeting them. Through great turnout at public hearings and written comments, clean energy forces successfully turned the attention of the region’s official power planners to the need to reduce global-warming pollution. With the comment period over, activists’ focus turns directly to the Council members and their direct bosses: the governors of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. news & factsheets »
Policy by Region
A Description here of overall state efforts will be a good way to lead off this section. news & factsheets »
Climate Change
Human-induced global warming poses perhaps the greatest threat ever to our very survival and that of countless other plant and animal species across the globe. To achieve the cuts in emissions in carbon dioxide and other global-warming pollutants needed to avoid the most dire consequences of climate change, we must stop relying on carbon-emitting fossil-fueled power plants for our electricity. In addition to promoting clean energy choices by utilities and regulatory agencies, the NW Energy Coalition is actively engaged in state and regional processes aimed at economy-wide cuts in carbon pollution. news & factsheets »
Coal in the Northwest
The Northwest is blessed with bountiful energy efficiency and renewable resources - enough to meet all projected increases in electricity needs several times over. Despite this, coal plants are being proposed across the Northwest. In this section you'll find information and the newest updates on this issue. news & factsheets »
Consumer Protection
Electricity is a necessity of modern life. The Energy Coalition advocates programs that provide home weatherization and bill assistance so that low-income families don't lose their service or suffer exorbitant energy costs. And all residential utility costumers deserve protection from poor electric service and unfair rate hikes. news & factsheets »
Energy Activist
Written for people who don't analyze energy policy for a living, The Energy Activist helps Coalition members and allies keep track of often complex energy and salmon issues. Each edition explores a key issue affecting the Northwest's energy future. news & factsheets »
Energy Efficiency
Conservation improves efficiency and allows us to power our homes, businesses and industries with less energy. Meeting the growing demand for energy through conservation and energy efficiency causes no environmental damage and costs less than building new power plants. news & factsheets »
Fish and Wildlife
Salmon and steelhead are icons of the Pacific Northwest – important to both the region's culture and economy. Yet many runs in the Columbia River Basin are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Hydroelectric dams that harness the Columbia and Snake Rivers for power production are the biggest killers of these fish and threaten other fish and wildlife. By striking a balance between dams, energy and salmon, we can enjoy clean energy, wild salmon, and healthy fish and wildlife populations. news & factsheets »
Renewable Energy
Clean, renewable energy sources – including wind, solar and geothermal power – do not pollute our air or our water and will never run out, unlike coal, natural gas and other fossil fuels. While fossil fuels are still the dominant source of electricity worldwide, renewable energy development is on the rise. news & factsheets »
Washington
Something about Washington policy here--a little recap. news & factsheets »
Idaho
Something about Idaho policy here--a little recap. news & factsheets »
Oregon
Something about Oregon policy here--a little recap. news & factsheets »
Montana
Something about Montana policy here--a little recap. news & factsheets »
Clean Energy Initiative
Initiative 937 (or the Clean Energy Initiative) ensured that at least 15 percent of the electricity Washington state gets from major utilities comes from clean, renewable sources, and that those utilities lower our bills by getting all the cost-saving energy conservation available. By state law, citizen initiatives may be amended by the Legislature after two years. With the 2010 legislative session just around the corner, The Coalition and allied members will once again be carefully tracking any legislative attempts to amend I-937. news & factsheets »
