Right now, we have not one, but two big opportunities to choose clean, renewable, and affordable energy.
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) is drafting its Ninth Power Plan, a 20-year roadmap for how Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana will generate, use, and conserve energy. While the draft includes many important investments in clean energy, efficiency, and conservation, we can and must do better. We need as many people as possible to advocate for energy conservation programs like demand response and stronger accountability for energy-hungry data centers, helping ensure clean, affordable, and reliable energy for everyone. And because the Ninth Power Plan will also guide how the Columbia and Snake River dams are operated, the stakes are high for salmon, too.
Meanwhile, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is in the midst of a rate case before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) that will determine whether it can raise customer bills by upwards of 30% to fund a slew of new fossil fuel projects. We can prevent PSE from locking Washington into decades of fossil fuel pollution and costly infrastructure. Submit a public comment urging UTC regulators to reject PSE’s fossil fuel projects and instead invest instead in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
These are two major decisions that will shape our climate, our utility bills, and the future of salmon across the Pacific Northwest for decades to come. Both are coming to a head this fall, so it’s all hands on deck! Now is the time for Washingtonians to speak up and demand a clean energy future—keep reading to find out how.
PNW Energy Crossroads Webinar
Tue. 9/22 from 4:00 -5:00pm
Sign up here
We will break down exactly what is at stake in both cases and show you the specific ways you can weigh in, including upcoming in person and virtual comment opportunities, so you have everything you need to make your voice heard. (Recording will be made available after 9/22.)
Resources and ways to engage in the draft Ninth Power Plan
The Ninth Power Plan Fact Sheet
Testimony How-to (a brief 10-minute guide)
Testify during your local public hearing
SPOKANE, WA
When: Mon., 9/14 from 4:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Let us know you'll be there.
Hearing Prep: Right before the hearing, we invite you to join us at Indaba Coffee (518 W Riverside) at 3:00pm to discuss testimony priorities and questions, and then walk to the hearing together at 3:45pm.
COEUR D'ALENE, ID
When: Mon., 9/14 from 4:30-6:30pm
Where: Idaho Fish and Game Office, 2885 W Kathleen Ave
Let us know you'll be there.
Hearing Prep: Right before the hearing, we invite you to join us at Union Roasters (2007 Tea Olive Ln., Suite 103) at 3:30pm to discuss testimony priorities and questions, before driving to the hearing around 4:15pm.
THE DALLES, OR
When: Tue., 9/29 from 4:30-6:30pm
Where: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, MJ Murdock Theater, 5000 Discovery Drive
More information here.
WEBINAR
When: Thu., 10/1 from 4:00 - 6:00pm
Where: Via Zoom
IDAHO FALLS, ID
When: Tue., 10/6 from 4:30 - 6:30pm
Where: Idaho Fish and Game Office, Centennial Room, 4279 Commerce Circle
Let us know you'll be there.
SEATTLE, WA
When: Wed., 10/7 from 4:00 - 6:00p
Where: Seattle University, Oberto Commons, Sinegal Room 200, 901 12th Ave
Let us know you'll be there.
Hearing Prep: Join the 9th Power Plan Hearing Prep on September 30th at 7pm at Rein Haus, Seattle. We will provide an overview of the 9th Power Plan, discuss the key issues we’re advocating around, and walk through how to prepare and deliver effective public testimony. Learn more and register today!
Submit a public comment by October 16
If you can't attend one of the public hearings, you can submit a public comment through our action alert. We've drafted a comment to make it easy, but the more personal your comment, the better!
Insider tip: We've heard that the Council especially needs to hear from people who support energy conservation programs, including demand response. If you're concerned about the growing energy demands of large data centers, share why. You might also encourage the Council to require large new electricity users to shift their consumption when the grid is strained, rather than putting that burden on families. And if you're concerned about rising electricity demand, let them know you don't want the answer to be more natural gas plants.
Resources and ways to engage in the PSE Rate Case
Testify during a hearing
IN PERSON
When: Tue., 9/29 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Where: UTC Headquarters, 621 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Room 115, Lacey, WA
VIRTUALLY
When: Wed., 10/7 from 6:00 - 8:00pm
Where: via Zoom (Meeting ID: 822 1351 8474#, Passcode: 226995#)
Submit a public comment by October 14
Via UTC’s form or email comments@utc.wa.gov.
Be sure to reference Docket Number UE-260005.