Our Northwest Energy

Top Power Producers in the Northwest

The Northwest Power and Conservation website provides an interactive, Google-generated map that displays power plants and their output in the Northwest.  By selecting different energy projects such as; hydroelectric, wind power, coal projects, biomass, nuclear energy, and natural gas, the map will display the location and output of the plant.

 

How to Winterize a “Fixer-Upper”

By: Emily Easley

"Winterized House" photo provided by www.blog.usa.gov

Moving to a house from an apartment is a big step in anyone’s life. At first, you probably bask in the joy of having a big, open space all to yourself. No more obnoxious roommates, loud stereos on the other side of your wall, dishes in the sink that aren’t yours, or clothes thrown across the bathroom that don’t belong to you. Unfortunately, that bigger domain of yours could start costing a bundle of money as winter sets in, especially if it hasn’t been properly maintained. By doing a few small fixes, you can winterize your home and save big on heating bills.

Truck Plant Closes While Solar Plant Breaks Ground in Oregon

SALEM, OR - One day after news that a truck plant would close in Portland, Oregon’s economy is taking a symbolic step forward. Officials broke ground in Salem today on a new solar manufacturing facility. Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Hydrogen Fuel from Sewage? Lab Proves it’s Possible

Newly published research from Oregon State University suggests a cost-effective way to make hydrogen to fuel the cars of the future. The fuel could be affordable because the raw material is plain old sewage water. Correspondent Tom Banse explains.

Federal Report Critical of 5 Hanford Cleanup Projects

RICHLAND, WA - A report to Congress is highly critical of five major federal cleanup projects at the Hanford site. Correspondent Anna King explains.

Washington to Join Oregon in Challenging Tanker Terminal License

OLYMPIA, WA - Washington State is joining Oregon on a threatened lawsuit over a natural gas tanker terminal and pipeline along the lower Columbia River. The two states want greater scrutiny of possible environmental effects of the energy project. Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

Environmental Groups File Air Pollution Lawsuit against Boardman Coal Plant

Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Several environmental groups banded together Tuesday to file a lawsuit in federal court against a coal fired plant in the Columbia River Gorge. The groups say the Boardman, Oregon plant is violating the Clean Air Act by releasing harmful amounts of mercury and smog. Portland General Electric operates the plant. Officials at Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality say they’re working with the power company. They say new air scrubbers will be installed on the plant in the next six to ten years. But Michael Lang with the Friends of the Columbia Gorge says that will extend the life of the plant.

Extremely Green Buildings Open in Northwest Washington

Site rendering of zero-energy townhomes in Issaquah, WA.

ISSAQUAH, WA - How would you like to pay little to nothing on your electric bill for the rest of your life? That could be a payoff of living in a home that generates its own energy on-site. Builders are constructing what you might call “extremely green” homes in a handful of Northwest cities. Correspondent Tom Banse went to a groundbreaking in Issaquah, Washington.

Coastal Towns Need Persuading To Embrace Wave Energy

NEWPORT, Ore. – R&D engineers rig a wave energy buoy during sea trials earlier this September. (Photo by Al Schacher, Columbia Power Technologies)

Posted: Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Harnessing the power of ocean waves to make electricity is all the rage among Northwest politicians and conservationists. Oregon State University and the University of Washington just got a big grant to work on wave and tidal energy. Even the Presidential candidates are all for it as part of the quest for "energy independence". But the possible effects on fishing, crabbing and whales make some coastal residents uneasy. Correspondent Tom Banse reports backers of wave energy have some persuading to do.