Policy by Region

Portland getting solarized

Several companies have been working with the Energy Trust of Oregon and the city of Portland to solarize the city. The project goes from neighborhood to neighborhood, with hundreds of customers signing for installation of photovoltaic cells. So Portland is experiencing a huge penetration of solar power at very reasonable costs thanks to economies of scale…

Avista reaches settlement with stakeholders in latest rate case

Spokane-based Avista Corp., which provides electric and natural gas service to much of northern Idaho, has joined the staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in asking the Commission to approve a rate case settlement agreement that could mean higher rates – though not as high as the utility first sought.

More woes for MSTI transmission line

NorthWestern Energy’s application to construct the Mountain States Transmission Intertie has encountered another in a long line of difficulties.

Coalition on BPA Integrated Program Review – Energy Efficiency 2010 IPR Draft Close Out Report

The Coalition, Partnership and NRDC appreciate the opportunity to submit these comments in support of BPA’s proposed energy efficiency budget for FY 2012 and 2013. This proposed budget is consistent with the energy savings targets committed to in the Regional Dialogue policy and the Post-2011 efficiency plan.

Regulators weigh utilities’ efficiency targets in Washington state

Following a lengthy process, the Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission approved PacifiCorp’s and Avista Utilities’ targets for meeting the energy efficiency provisions of the state’s clean energy law. Initiative 937 requires the state’s major electric utilities to capture all of the cost-effective conservation in their service territories beginning in 2010.

Next for up Boardman: natural gas

The Daily Journal of Commerce Oregon talks about the eventual shutdown of the Boardman coal-fired power plant and what might replace the power it generates. You can read the article here.

Energy and Conservation Groups Seek to Preserve State Energy Efficiency Rules

Energy and conservation groups today filed court papers to defend Washington’s energy efficiency standards – standards that will save consumers millions of dollars and reduce harmful global warming pollution – against a lawsuit that aims to dismantle them.

Washington state Rep. John McCoy honored for protecting I-937

Washington State Rep. John McCoy (D-Tulalip) has been honored by the NW Energy Coalition Friday for his successful efforts to maintain the integrity of the state’s voter-approved Clean Energy Initiative, I-937, particularly during the 2009 state legislative session. Coalition policy director Nancy Hirsh (left side of photo) and former Coalition policy associate and lobbyist Carrie Dolwick (right) presented the award to Rep. McCoy during a brief ceremony in the Coalition’s Seattle office June 18.

Coalition Comments on PGE’s IRP & Boardman 5-14-10

The NW Energy Coalition (NWEC or “Coalition”) appreciates this opportunity to
comment on Portland General’s Integrated Resource Plan, as amended (IRP or “Plan”). Although PGE’s Plan encompasses a great number of issues, we will focus in these comments on two central questions: (1) a request to acknowledge a preferred Action Plan that includes the 2020 shutdown of Boardman; and, (2) a related request to approve an “alternative Action Plan” if the Company is unable to resolve several difficult regulatory contingencies by March 31, 2011, making the preferred plan, in PGE’s determination, impossible to complete.

Washington: State legislature doesn’t mess with I-937

The 2010 Washington state legislative session has finally ended. While results for environmental issues were mixed overall, defenders of the 2006 Clean Energy Initiative 937 were pleased that no changes were made to the law…