Oregon

Earlier this month, the US DOE announced that BPA Administrator Steve Wright would remain in that position. As is typical for changes in Presidential administration, the BPA Administrator position was subject to change by the Obama administration. However, the administration, in an acknowledgment of accomplishments at the agency, decided to retain him. Also this month, BPA announced the kick-off of a new phase of its post-2011 life.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Taskforce (NEET) held its final meeting on June 17th. While observing the age old advice of never saying never, NEET Taskforce facilitator Ken Canon announced that there would be no more scheduled meetings of a taskforce at work over the previous 2 years. NEET was inspired by Chairs Steve Wright (BPA), Pat Reiten (PacifiCorp), and Tom Karrier (NWPCC) and the central question of how the pace of energy efficiency acquisition could be accelerated in the region.

Two upcoming events may be of interest to NEEC members.The West Coast Energy Management Congress is June 15-16 at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle. NEEC is a Silver Sponsor of the event. WCEMC is one of the showcase conference and exhibits of the Association of Energy Engineers. Once again, Puget Sound Energy is the local premier host with strong sponsorship support by Puget Sound area utilities and businesses. Numerous NEEC member companies will be featured in panel presentations and in the exhibit hall. For more information, go to the NEEC Events page.

While the 2010 legislative session is still in recent memory, the 2011 session (no mini this time, a full session) is already on the minds of NEEC business members in Oregon. The “Oregon Caucus” of NEEC members (anyone NEEC member can participate) has been working with NEEC Oregon governmental affairs representative, Margi Hoffman (Strategies 360) to develop a prioritized list of policy ideas for consideration.

The recent Oregon statewide primary produced few surprises and cleared the decks for one-on-one basketball in the gubernatorial race. Chris Dudley, former NBA basketball player, secured the Republican nod, while former Governor John Kitzhaber won the Democratic primary. Despite Dudley’s obvious height advantage and presence in the paint, Kitzhaber likely has the lead and the leather at this early stage of the game (OK, I’m done now).

Last week, the US Department of Energy (on Earth Day) announced the award of 25 grants through a competitive solicitation of ARRA stimulus funding and both Seattle and Portland were given $20M. In Oregon, the City of Portland with the State of Oregon won a grant to support the further development of Clean Energy Works Oregon which provides opportunity for building owners and homeowners to pay back loans for energy efficiency improvements through their property tax payment or on their utility bill. This approach has been piloted over the last year by the City of Portland.

Under the leadership of NEEC Board members, Phil Welker and Pat Keegan, a volunteer group of Oregon-based NEEC members have begun meeting to work through policy ideas that could have merit for the 2011 Oregon Legislature. NEEC governmental affairs specialist, Margi Hoffman of Strategies 360 is providing input and political perspective to the conversation. The caucus will be meeting monthly to brainstorm ideas and to make recommendations to the NEEC Board of Directors on a set of prioritized policy initiatives that will serve as NEEC’s focus in 2011.

At the February meeting of its Conservation Advisory Committee, the Energy Trust announced the summary of its energy savings accomplishments for 2009. Despite a troubled economy, net electric savings for its suite of programs totaled more than 293 million kWh which represented 88% of its targeted stretch goals. On the natural gas side (excluding industrial pilot and WA service area), the Energy Trust saved almost 3 million therms which was 99% of its stretch goal for the year.