Clean Energy Blog
Stay up to date on the latest news related to clean energy in our region and beyond.
WA Commerce Invests Over $23 Million to Increase Grid Reliability
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced last week that $23 million in funding is being awarded to 18 projects across the state. The projects are aimed at making our electrical grid stronger, more reliable, and better prepared for challenges brought by...
Five Universities Compete in Avista Power Down, Add Up Energy Conservation Challenge
Students using less energy, building good habits during Energy Awareness Month. Avista is again celebrating Energy Awareness month with a friendly competition between local university students called Power Down, Add Up, promoting energy efficient behavior with a...
Governor Proclaims Oct. 17 – 22 Careers in Energy Week
Governor Gregoire has proclaimed Oct. 17 – 22 as Careers in Energy Week to promote the need to build a smart-energy workforce. Washington joins 11 other states in supporting the national drive, coordinated by the Center for Energy Workforce Development. Washington...
Consortia Gearing Up for Careers in Energy Week for Students/Faculty
Energy consortia across the country are busy making plans for activities revolving around Careers in Energy Week, which takes place October 17 - 22. At least 12 state consortia are working on or have already succeeded in securing proclamations from their governors...
Snohomish County PUD will drill nearly a mile deep in search of geothermal power
Sept 3, 2011 (HeraldNet.com): The hope of generating geothermal power in Snohomish County could take a giant leap forward in the next few months. Or, it could send the Snohomish County Public Utility District back to the drawing board. The PUD in the next couple of...
Washington considers including hydro as a renewable energy resource under RPS
...According to a report at Energy Prospects, at least one state's legislature is considering including hydro: the very wet state of Washington, in the rainy Northwest. Attempts to include hydro have been made in the last three legislative sessions and a fourth...
Workforce challenges of Electric Sector Employers in Washington and Oregon
The primary purpose of this study was to understand the employment and training needs of electric-sector employers in the Pacific Northwest region. The study focused on five occupational groups that comprise the largest number of craft jobs among electric-sector...
DOE awards Idaho State University’s Burgett $2 million for developing advanced radiation detectors
The Department of Energy has awarded two grants totaling about $2 million to Idaho State University's Eric Burgett to develop advanced radiation detectors and measure fuel inside nuclear reactors. Announced in a press release dated August 10, the award was received...
Snohomish PUD drilling for geothermal power
Snohomish Public Utility District will start drilling for hot water next week, hoping to find enough geothermal heat to eventually build a $100 million, 20-megawatt power plant. The 5,000-foot "deep exploratory well" will be the first of its kind in Washington. Story...
Clean energy future of Oregon depends on conservation, renewables and smart grid
Western states could generate big economic and public health dividends by more aggressively pursuing a low-carbon, clean-energy strategy that relies on renewable energy, conservation and smart grid technologies, according to a new report from the Grid West Group. The...