The Washington Clean Energy Coalition (WCEC) is an all-volunteer nonprofit group of organizations and individuals who seek to accelerate the transition to clean energy sources by engaging with utilities and their state regulator, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).
At present, our efforts focus on Puget Sound Energy (PSE), the state’s largest and most polluting utility. The Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act requires PSE to provide incrementally cleaner electricity each year, delivering carbon-free electricity by 2045. WCEC is helping to make sure the transformation is steady, equitable, and respectful of the environment.
Unfortunately, PSE’s most recent plans for natural gas show only minor reduction of emissions by 2045. Gradual electrification of buildings would be cheaper, healthier, and more equitable than what PSE is proposing. WCEC is working hard to secure a better future for people and all life on our planet.
What We Do
WCEC participates in stakeholder advisory groups that help shape PSE’s Integrated Resource Plans. These documents outline how PSE will deliver energy to customers during the next 20 years.
WCEC provides fact-based written and oral testimony to the UTC, seeking better outcomes when PSE puts profits ahead of customers and future generations.
WCEC works with our partner organizations to make sure we present accurate facts and consistent messaging.
Some of our coalition partners
Sierra Club
Bainbridge Climate Action
350 Seattle and 350 Eastside
Northwest Energy Coalition
Third Act Washington
Vashon Climate Action Team
Accomplishments
Through our efforts, PSE has finally begun to account for climate change in its forecasting, significantly changing how our energy grid will be developed to handle changing temperature extremes. WCEC has also helped PSE properly account for the cost and reliability benefits of non-wire technologies such as batteries and local solar panels.
Here are some of the letters and petitions we have submitted to the UTC on behalf of our communities, ratepayers, and the environment:
- Comments on PSE’s 2023 Gas Plan (6/5/2023) – PSE’s flawed plan would emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases and cost customers billions of dollars. Six months after its release, the UTC has not yet recognized PSE’s plan.
- Petition regarding PSE’s 2023 Gas Plan (6/5/2023) – Almost 600 signatures from PSE’s customers and concerned citizens from 47 states.
- Comments on PSE’s 2023 Electric Progress Report (5/30/2023) – WCEC called for virtual power plants, vehicle-to-grid, and time-varying rates. PSE recently announced a partnership to incorporate these clean energy solutions.
- Comments opposing rate increases for customers (9/21/2022) – WCEC, partner orgs, and 450 individuals questioned PSE’s request to raise rates by 17-20%.
- Comments on PSE’s 2022 Clean Energy Implementation Plan (3/2/2022) – WCEC and partner orgs showed how PSE’s inadequate climate modeling could lead to bad investments and higher costs for customers.
Want to help? Contact us
Washington Clean Energy Coalition 