The Northwest Power and Conservation Council issued a draft 6th Power Plan this month that calls for the region’s electric utilities to meet 85% of projected new load growth over the next 20 years through energy efficiency.
The Plan targets 1,400 aMW for the first 5 year period and then 5,800 aMW by 2030. The Council’s planning methodology assumes that these amounts are only a portion of the cost effective resource available in the region, but these targets represent only what is cost effective and “achievable.” A recent meeting of the members of the Council seems to indicate potential resistance at the Council level to establishing these target levels in the Plan. The Council did not approve the Plan at its most recent meeting and will continue to consider the issue. Reluctance to embrace an aggressive energy efficiency target, despite its significant cost advantage as a resource, likely speaks volumes on the politics of the region. For more information or to view the draft Plan, visit www.nwppc.org.