In 2009, energy efficiency was the Pacific Northwest’s 3rd largest source of supplying electricity. Energy efficiency came in at 12%, with hydro power in 1st place at 55% and coal in 2nd place at 18%. Wind and biomass were in last place with 1%.
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council would like to see energy efficiencies’ percentage increase substantially. This is the 6th Power Plan. “The plan estimates about 85% of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana’s new power demand over the next 20 years – about 5,900 megawatts – could be met through conservation…” (Matthew Pruesch, The Oregonian, 2/11/10).
The Pacific Northwest has the comparative advantage in electric rates compared to the US average of 10.04 cents/Kwh. Oregon is ranked at #14 with 7.55 cents/Kwh; Washington in 6th with 6.89 cents/Kwh and Idaho is ranked at #2 with 6.45 cents/Kwh. We can maintain and even enhance this position by investing in energy efficiency and preserving the hydro system.
In 2009, energy efficiency was the Pacific Northwest’s 3rd largest source of supplying electricity. Energy efficiency came in at 12%, with hydro power in 1st place at 55% and coal in 2nd place at 18%. Wind and biomass were in last place with 1%.The Northwest Power and Conservation Council would like to see energy efficiencies’ percentage increase substantially. This is the 6th Power Plan. “The plan estimates about 85% of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana’s new power demand over the next 20 years – about 5,900 megawatts – could be met through conservation…” (Matthew Pruesch, The Oregonian, 2/11/10).The Pacific Northwest has the comparative advantage in electric rates compared to the US average of 10.04 cents/Kwh. Oregon is ranked at #14 with 7.55 cents/Kwh; Washington in 6th with 6.89 cents/Kwh and Idaho is ranked at #2 with 6.45 cents/Kwh. We can maintain and even enhance this position by investing in energy efficiency and preserving the hydro system.