The

Energy Activist

December 1, 2025

November 2025 Newsletter

Giving Tuesday is December 2 — and your gift can go twice as far.

Thanks to generous supporters, all donations to the NW Energy Coalition will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000. Your support helps advance clean, affordable, and equitable energy across the Northwest—from wildfire-safe utility planning to responsible data center growth, salmon recovery, and smarter long-term energy planning.

Double your impact today and help power a resilient, people-centered clean energy future.

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NWEC Fall Staff Retreat in Seattle

We had a great time connecting and brainstorming and were so grateful to get some quality time together in person.

Last Call: Register for Our Clean & Affordable Energy Conference

on December 3 in Portland

This week is our Fall 2025 Clean & Affordable Energy Conference in Portland, Oregon! Make sure to register by today to secure your seat: https://nwenergy.org/featured/fall-2025-clean-affordable-energy-conference/

Join utility leaders, policymakers, advocates, and energy experts from across the region to explore solutions for a reliable, equitable, and decarbonized energy future. This year’s conference will dive into some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the Northwest’s energy transition.

Check out our great lineup of speakers: https://nwenergy.org/fall-2025-clean-affordable-energy-conference-panelists/

See this year's clean energy awardees: https://nwenergy.org/2025-award-winners/

Thank you to our conference sponsors:

Member Spotlight: Klamath & Lake Community Action Services

Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) is a private nonprofit organization and the designated Community Action Agency serving Klamath and Lake Counties. They assess community needs and coordinate with community partners to leverage resources to provide high-quality, responsive services, including energy assistance for eligible community members. KLCAS is focused on building a clean, safe and affordable energy future that ensures utility costs are affordable, equitable and that community members are protected from utility disconnection.

Learn More

Regional & Federal Updates

BPA Litigation Moves Forward

In November, Earthjustice filed an opening brief on behalf of NWEC and our partners in the BPA markets litigation: Montana Environmental Information Center, Oregon Citizens' Utility Board, Sierra Club, and the Idaho Conservation League.

Three entities supporting our position filed Amicus Briefs setting forth their interests in BPA's decision. Oregon and Washington jointly discussed BPA’s obligations to, and economic impacts on, the region. Seattle City Light discussed how BPA’s obligation is to produce the lowest possible rates for the region, and the Green Energy Institute compared the governance models of each market and concluded EDAM is better suited to protecting the public interests.

In our brief, we argue that:

BPA’s market choice is a final decision with significant impacts on customers and the region;
BPA’s final decision does not align with its obligations under the NW Power and Conservation Act;
BPA did not comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and needs to assess environmental impacts now; and
The court should vacate BPA’s decision to pursue Markets+ so BPA can conduct the required analysis of the market options and environmental impacts.

BPA must file its response in mid-December, and amicus briefs aligned with its position are due before the holidays. Earthjustice predicts a hearing in the beginning of 2026 and a decision by summer, dependent on the overall workload of the 9th Circuit.

Fervo Energy Launches Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact

We are happy to support the Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development which Fervo Energy recently co-developed along with Sierra Club as a starting point for conversation. Geothermal has long been a part of the western power grid, but it has been limited to areas with very hot water and steam close to the surface. New forms of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are now dramatically expanding geothermal resource availability.

Going forward, thanks to rapid technology innovation and cost decline spurred by the USDOE-funded FORGE testbed project in southwest Utah, geothermal has the potential to become a major clean generating resource. New analysis from the Stanford University geothermal program shows that EGS can be developed at low cost across the west. And some of the greatest geothermal potential is right here in the Northwest!

While we don't endorse specific developers or projects, it is important that our region is part of the conversation on how geothermal is developed moving forward. The Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development help start that conversation to ensure we see "geothermal done right" for the benefit of power customers, communities, Tribes, labor, and the environment.

Washington

Data Center Workgroup Ends–a Decent Start, but More Needed

Governor Ferguson's Data Center Workgroup wrapped up its discussions in early November. The Workgroup ultimately landed on 31 Findings and 8 Recommendations (available on the Workgroup webpage under Meeting #5). A ninth recommendation, which did not pass, focused on expanding the tax incentives and requiring data centers to bring a TBD percentage of their own clean energy. NWEC submitted a joint minority report with others on the importance of the clean energy component of the recommendation. The Workgroup’s report to the Governor is expected to be delivered by December 1.

NWEC has been quoted in multiple outlets (linked here and here) on the Workgroup outcomes and NWEC’s Regional and State Policy Director Zachariah Baker posted a blog discussing how the Workgroup’s recommendations stack up. The punchline: A decent start, but more is needed —and quickly! We are also working with partners and legislators to pursue action on data centers in the upcoming legislative session.

Oregon

Clean Energy Field Trip with Energy Justice Leaders

In October, frontline leaders from Oregon visited Hood River County to see community-owned clean energy in action. Members of this year’s cohort of the Energy Justice Community Leaders Program, which we coordinate in partnership with Oregon Just Transition Alliance, Verde, Coalition of Communities of Color, and the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability, visited four hydroelectric sites and reflected on how producing clean energy within communities is part of the advancement of energy justice.

Read more about how these immersive experiences are helping build momentum for a just, affordable, and locally-driven energy transition in Oregon: https://www.ojta.org/blog/frontline-leaders-visit-hood-river

Montana

Meeting with Key Stakeholders to Explore Transmission Upgrades

Last fall, with several partners and member organizations, we engaged Energy Strategies to perform a study exploring transmission upgrades that would increase Montana’s transmission connectivity in the region. Specifically, the study focuses on Montana-to Idaho/Montana-to-Washington transmission. The study is nearing completion, and outlines three different energy deployment scenarios for constructing (or reconductoring) high-voltage, interstate, AC & DC lines west from Colstrip and Great Falls, and south from Townsend and Garrison, connecting with existing transmission systems in Idaho and Washington. The aim is to outline how and where to boost interstate transmission capacity between Montana and the region, which will enhance grid reliability while allowing more renewable resources to come online and contribute to regional decarbonization. The study supports significantly improving reliability and clean energy capacity for Montana.

In November, we were excited to bring Energy Strategies’ lead author—Keegan Moyer—to Montana for a handful of strategic presentations to key industry leaders and policymakers. Keegan presented preliminary study results to the Montana Legislative Energy and Technology Interim Committee, as well as the Governor’s Energy Task Force, and the Montana Energy Business Alliance. All in all, we were able capitalize on the serendipitous convening in Helena of key leaders, unveiling exactly where key upgrades to our regional transmission systems are necessary.

We'll have more to share on the transmission study soon—stay tuned! We'll also have a lot to discuss on transmission at our fall conference on December 3 in Portland.

Join us in shaping a brighter energy future for people, salmon, and the climate—give to NWEC now and help advance affordable, equitable clean energy across the Northwest.