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CONVERSATIONS LIVE - The Energy Trilemma: Accessibility, Sustainability, Affordability
Energy access and sustainability are at the heart of Canada's economy and British Columbia is facing a pivotal moment. How can we ensure energy security, equitable access, and environmental responsibility in a rapidly evolving landscape? Join us on Conversations Live for a timely and thought-provoking panel on June 17 at 5:30 PM. We’ll explore BC’s current energy mix, still dominated by electricity and fossil fuels, and the practical realities of transitioning to alternatives
3 days ago1 min read
The Need to ‘Build, Build, Build’ Dominates Conversation at Western Energy Symposium
Energy officials at the Oct. 9 Regional Energy Symposium in Portland, Oregon, offered solutions to address the Pacific Northwest’s urgent resource-adequacy crisis—key among them being the need for more gas infrastructure and natural gas-electric coordination. Scott Kinney, vice president of energy resources and integrated planning at Avista, said the idea for the symposium could be traced to an outage at the Jackson Prairie natural gas storage facility—co-owned by Avista, Pug
3 days ago4 min read
Rising blackout risk has Pacific Northwest energy sector buzzing
By 2030, the region faces a supply shortfall of nearly 9 gigawatts, equal to Oregon's entire load, according to a new analysis. Read the full article here.
3 days ago1 min read
PNW could face energy shortage during extreme conditions, report says
Does the Pacific Northwest have the energy it needs to prevent rolling blackouts? A new report commissioned by the region’s largest utilities has raised concerns. Starting next year, the Northwest could face a power shortage that would challenge the reliability of the grid during extreme conditions, according to the report. The report analyzed the region’s energy plans against potential weather and hydropower conditions across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and parts of
3 days ago6 min read
Why Line Extension Policies Matter for the Northwest’s Energy Future
Natural gas “line extension” policies determine how and when utilities connect new homes, businesses, and industries to their systems. Though technical in nature, these policies shape community growth, affordability, and reliability across the energy grid. The American Gas Association (AGA) recently published The Current State of Natural Gas Utility Line Extension Policies and a companion one-pager outlining how states balance cost recovery and fairness. Line extension rul
Dec 102 min read
NWGA Letter to Oregon Building Codes Division
November 5, 2025 Oregon Building Codes Division 1535 Edgewater Street NW Salem, OR 97304 Re: Section N1105.8 (Heat Pump Requirement) in the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Chapter 11 – Energy Efficiency To BCD Staff and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity last week to comment on the 2026 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), Chapter 11. I am writing to further express concern with Section N1105.8, which would mandate that any new dwelling with
Nov 127 min read
Natural gas still crucial to the WA grid; utilities need to coordinate
The Seattle Times editorial “Natural gas still crucial to the WA grid; utilities” discusses the pressures on hydroelectric power in the Pacific Northwest. While solar, wind, and batteries are expanding, they are not yet enough to satisfy the growing electricity needs. The article states that natural gas supplies nearly 20% of Washington’s electricity and should serve as a “bridge” fuel while industry and regulators collaborate to ensure coordinated supply. It emphasizes the i
Oct 291 min read
The Pacific Northwest’s Energy Future Depends on Collaboration: Reflections from the Regional Energy Symposium
Earlier this month in Portland, industry professionals, utility executives and policy-makers gathered for the Regional Energy Symposium , co-hosted by the Northwest Gas Association (NWGA), the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee (PNUCC), Public Generating Pool (PGP) and the Western Power Pool (WPP) to confront one of the region’s most pressing energy questions: how do gas and electric systems coordinate to deliver a clean, reliable and affordable future? The answ
Oct 294 min read
Why Natural Gas Line Extension Policies Matter for Energy Reliability and Affordability
NWGA members have consistently supported thoughtful decarbonization that protects affordability and reliability and have already begun introducing Renewable Natural Gas and hydrogen into their systems. In today’s shifting energy landscape, regulators in the Pacific Northwest face increasing pressure to use utility policies as a tool for decarbonization, even at the expense of reliability and affordability. Some jurisdictions in the region have already begun to eliminate natur
Oct 33 min read
The Pacific Northwest’s Energy Future Depends on Gas-Electric Coordination
The Pacific Northwest is at a critical energy juncture. As demand for electricity surges—driven by electrification, rapid growth in data...
Sep 22 min read
Hydrogen: Clean and Reliable Fuel of the Future for Vehicles and Industrial Applications
As an essential component of the world’s transition to decarbonized energy sources, hydrogen is emerging as a crucial alternative fuel...
Aug 43 min read
MEDIA RELEASE: NWGA Names Kelly Fukai as New Chief Executive Officer
Media Contact D. Scott Peterson peterson@libertystarstrategies.com 503.236.8776 Portland, OR – The Northwest Gas Association (NWGA) is...
Jul 282 min read
Unleashing the Potential of Biogas and Biomethane: A Sustainable Energy Breakthrough
NW Gas Association likes to share research by independent organizations from around the world that highlight trends and innovations...
Jul 142 min read
Balancing the Grid: Why Natural Gas Remains Essential in the Northwest’s Clean Energy Transition
As the Pacific Northwest accelerates toward a low-carbon future, policymakers and planners face a growing tension: how to balance...
Jun 113 min read
Coordinated Action Needed to Ensure Northwest Energy Reliability
By: Camilo Amezquita , Vice President and General Manager, Williams Northwest Pipeline Larry Bekkedahl , Senior Vice President, Strategy and Advanced Energy Delivery, Portland General Electric Scott Kinney, Vice President Energy Resources and Integrated Planning, Avista Utilities Kim Rush , President, NW Natural Gas Published: June 3, 2025 - Clearing Up Download: Click here The Pacific Northwest’s energy system is changing. Demand for electricity is growing, and elect
Jun 33 min read
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