One of the most positive aspects of the draft Fifth Northwest Power and Conservation Plan is its ambitious energy efficiency goal.
The draft calls for region-wide energy savings of 140 average megawatts a year for the next five years and a total of about 2,800 megawatts over the next 20 years. This is more than half of the expected rise in electric demand in that period.
The Council's recommendation is remarkable in several respects:
- The projected savings are strikingly similar to the amount of cost-effective efficiency identified in the Energy Coalition's landmark study of clean-energy potential ("Clean Electricity Options for the Pacific Northwest").
- 140 average megawatts of energy efficiency a year would be a 50-percent increase over what's being done now by the Bonneville Power Administration and the region's electric utilities.
- The draft says the region should pursue energy efficiency despite the temporary surplus in Northwest energy supply.
That last point is especially revealing. At an average cost of just 2.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, energy efficiency not only is cheaper than building new generation, it's also cheaper than the electricity marketed by existing plants – 4 to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The savings from reduced electricity use would overwhelm any small rate increases needed to fund efficiency measures.
Here's what the Council says:
... [T]he region should increase its efforts to secure cost-effective conservation, beginning immediately. It is the least expensive, and least harmful to the environment, resource available. Development of conservation will reduce the likelihood of another electricity crisis like the one experienced by the West in 2000 and 2001.
Energy efficiency is good business
... and good FOR business!
Commercial establishments, schools and other businesses have realized great benefits from energy-efficiency projects. Engineering and construction companies and other providers of energy-efficiency services have thrived thanks to local and regional incentives programs.
Northwest businesses, then, have a lot to gain from the Council sticking to its guns on its energy-efficiency targets. Here's a sampling of comments given by business people and public institution representatives at the recent Seattle hearing on BPA's Regional Dialogue proposal:
Lee Miley
Physical Plant Manager, Seattle University
"Funding from BPA and Seattle City Light is helping to lower our energy consumption. Thanks to their programs, Seattle University has saved more than $200,000 in the last few years."
Ash Awad
Vice President, McKinstry Co., Seattle
"Energy efficiency and renewable energy mean real work, real jobs. ... McKinstry has been able to maintain the employment of over 50 staff and professional engineers, as well as 200-300 FTE trade jobs year after year. These are real jobs that would not have existed if it was not for the real work generated by energy efficiency projects."
Jim Walker
Energy Conservation Specialist, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
"Since 1993, the Hutch has done over 100 energy conservation projects. Because of these projects we are saving 18 million kilowatt-hours a year, meaning over $1 million more a year can go back into cancer research."
Larry Dittloff
Facilities Manager, Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle
"We're saving $182,000 a year from energy conservation. Occupancy is up 20 percent while others (such as Kansas City) are losing business. A lot of that is because energy efficiency has helped keep rates competitive -- and the new lighting makes an older-looking building look great! It wouldn't have happened without [Seattle City Light's] program."
Hamilton Hazlehurst
Development Director, Vulcan Inc., Seattle
"Vulcan development projects that have participated in the energy conservation programs have annual energy savings of approximately 5.9 million kilowatt-hours. This would not have been possible without $1.1 million in Seattle City Light incentive fees for various HVAC and lighting efficiency upgrades on nine of our recent projects."
Additional testimony from these and other business owners and facilities managers who've invested in energy-efficiency are at www.nwenergy.org/energymatters/goodbusiness.
Give the Council a piece of your mind!
Hearings on the Fifth Northwest Power Plan will be held throughout the region – the next is Oct. 26 in Portland. (see left for other dates)
The Council also will be taking written comments through Nov. 19. You can send them through our website.
Energy Matters campaign supporters should:
- Applaud the Council's strong energy efficiency plank.
- Defend the positive strides on renewables, while urging Council members to address the significant opportunities not identified in the draft Plan.
- Stress that coal is not an option - not for consumers, not for the environment, not for humans and other living things.
- Make sure the needs of low-income energy consumers are seriously addressed.
- Demand that the Council carry out its legal responsibility to protect Columbia Basin fish and wildlife.
- Insist that Council members take a stand on fixing the transmission system.
Subsequent Energy Matters updates will look at some of these issues in more depth. In the meantime, see our talking points on the Fifth Power Plan, along with an issue-by-issue summary and analysis by Energy Coalition staff.
Keep on pushing!
Clean-energy advocates did a great job getting our vision across to the Bonneville Power Administration during the just-completed Regional Dialogue hearings. Let's build on that momentum by intervening enthusiastically in the Fifth Power Plan!
The Fifth Northwest Power and Conservation Plan is a major focus of the Energy Matters campaign. Now is the time to make clean and affordable energy a reality.
