Earlier this year, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council adopted a revised energy plan for the Pacific Northwest, identifying cost-effective energy efficiency as its top resource priority, while also calling for continued growth in renewable resources and long-term exploration of smart grid technology.
In the face of rising populations, potential climate change policies and other uncertainties, the plan states that energy conservation is a more sustainable way to meet the region’s growing demands than most types of power generation.
With the population expected to grow in Montana, Washington, Idaho and Oregon from about 13 million people today to 16.7 million in 2030, the region’s load – or ongoing power requirement – will increase considerably from 21,000 average megawatts to 28,000. According to the NPCC plan, 85 percent of that new load can be fulfilled through energy conservation.
“If developed aggressively, this conservation, combined with the region’s past successful development of energy efficiency,” the plan states, “could constitute a resource comparable in size to the Northwest federal hydroelectric system.”
At a presentation at Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC) on Sept. 15, NPCC chairman and Kalispell resident Bruce Measure discussed the Sixth Northwest Conservation and Electric Power Plan with a crowd of energy and natural resource officials.
Among those present were representatives from Plum Creek Timber Co., Stoltze Land and Lumber Co., FEC, the U.S. Forest Service and various local organizations, as well as state lawmakers and legislative hopefuls.
The event was called the “Natural Resources Tour: Using the Flathead’s Natural Resources for Local Energy Needs.” When introducing the speakers, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner noted how the paradigm for natural resources in Northwest Montana has shifted dramatically.
“We used to call this a timber tour,” Unterreiner said. “But we looked through our records and we haven’t really done something that’s straight timber for many, many years.”
The NPCC, based out of Portland, Ore., develops and maintains a regional power plan and fish and wildlife program for Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. The plan, initially adopted in 1982, guides the Bonneville Power Administration and is revised every five years. The most recent revision is the sixth.
BPA is responsible for one-third of the electric power used in the Northwest U.S., as well as three-quarters of its electric power transmission in the region.
The council was authorized by Congress through the Northwest Power Act in 1980 to, according to its website, “give the citizens of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington a stronger voice in determining the future of key resources common to all four states – namely, the electricity generated at and fish and wildlife affected by the Columbia River Basin hydropower dams.”
Two representatives from each state serve on the council. Measure, one of Montana’s two representatives, is currently serving as the council’s chairman. Among the agencies that implement NPCC’s plans and policies are the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and BPA.
Energy costs for natural gas, oil and electricity are expected to rise, and the plan notes that the increase could be compounded by carbon emissions taxes or cap-and-trade policies. Combined with the rising population, the council’s plan says expanded energy-efficiency programs will be the key to making sure there’s enough energy to meet demands.
The council lists improved home weatherization – particularly insulation and windows – as a major source of energy efficiency. Other sources of energy efficiency include improved irrigation, commercial and home lighting, and industrial motors.
Future cost savings, the council states, will come from energy-efficient advancements such as better televisions, high-performance windows, washing machines, water heaters and industrial energy use. Also, improvements made at the utility level, such as more efficient transformers, would make a significant difference.
Mark Johnson, assistant general manager for FEC, echoed some of Measure’s sentiments, describing the role individuals play in conserving energy. The cooperative promotes the use of more efficient household appliances and other energy uses through a rebate program.
“It’s going to take a village to solve a lot of those problems,” Johnson said. “We need everybody to be salesmen and work on energy efficiency because it’s the cheapest resource out there.”
Energy efficiency is taking on particular importance for FEC’s customers, because beginning in October of next year BPA will begin capping the load it provides to the cooperative. The power demand for FEC’s customers, however, will keep growing.
Alternative energy exploration, combined with the conservation efforts, will help satisfy some of the increasing demand, but not all of it. Johnson said the cooperative is working diligently to find ways to satisfy the rest.
“Basically our board has given us the direction to turn over every rock,” Johnson said.