Coal in the Northwest
Up one levelThe Northwest is blessed with bountiful energy efficiency and renewable resources - enough to meet all projected increases in electricity needs several times over. The Tellus Institute Study showed that the region could tap more than 13,000 average megawatts of cost-competitive efficiency and renewables in the next 20 years - enough to meet all new demand and retire much of the existing fossil fule generation facilities.
Despite this, coal plants are being proposed across the Northwest. In this section you'll find information and the newest updates on this issue.

The Northwest is blessed with bountiful energy efficiency and renewable resources - enough to meet all projected increases in electricity needs several times over. The Tellus Institute Study showed that the region could tap more than 13,000 average megawatts of cost-competitive efficiency and renewables in the next 20 years - enough to meet all new demand and retire much of the existing fossil fule generation facilities.
Despite this, coal plants are being proposed across the Northwest. In this section you'll find information and the newest updates on this issue.
Read the Coalition's Resolution on Coal, adopted by NW Energy Coalition Board, Oct. 23, 2005 (PDF)
Recent News
- Energy Matters Update - October 1, 2008
- After years of trying to sell its massively polluting proposed coal-powered plant as a clean power solution, Energy Northwest has finally thrown in the towel on the Pacific Mountain Energy Center (PMEC), the proposed 793-megawatt coal-powered facility in Kalama, Wash...
- The Energy Activist - Summer 2008
- Victories in the fight against coal, British Columbia's first of-its-kind carbon tax and the cross-country adventures of a giant fish named FIN are all featured in this edition.
- Press Release: Halt in coal plant permitting a ‘clean’ victory
- Consumer and clean-energy advocates are applauding Tuesday’s decision by Washington state siting officials to halt consideration of a proposed coal-fueled power plant in Kalama...
- The Transformer: Update - November 19, 2007
- A recent Transformer (“PacifiCorp’s Dilemma,” Oct. 29, 2007) described multi-state utility PacifiCorp’s proposed integrated resource plan (IRP) and detailed clean-energy advocates’ critique of the plan’s call for two new coal-fired power plants. Now, Oregon Public Utility Commission staff have released their “Initial Comments and Recommendations” on the IRP..
- Sen. Pridemore's Kalama letter to EFSEC.pdf
- A letter on the Kalama IGCC Plant sent to EFSEC by Senator Craig Pridemore. He states, "it is my hope that EFSEC will uphold the intent and requirements of ESSb 6001 and the interests of all Washington citizens..."