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To encourage grassroots contact regarding issues impacting electric rates by customers of consumer-owned utilities with Congress and federal and regional agencies.

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Welcome

Welcome! The electric utility industry is changing. In the past, your non-profit, public power utility could keep rates stable and power available for its consumers. Now, the effects of changing markets and new regulations are causing supply shortages and rate increases for electricity. That's why we need your help.

People Power is a grassroots movement of non-profit utility consumers who support the goal of making sure power is affordable and available. By joining People Power, you will learn more about the benefits of buying power from a consumer-owned utility, as well as some of the issues impacting electric rates in the near term. You also will have the chance to contact elected officials who make decisions affecting these benefits, and ultimately your wallet.

Join People Power today and help us remind policymakers that public power is a vital public service.

 


Live Wire

Ruling on wind power questioned Just ahead of the snowmelt season, eighteen representatives of Congress signed and sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu expressing concern that FERC had overstepped its authority and supporting settlement negotiations among the region's affected parties. BPA has requested a rehearing by FERC about its Environmental Re-dispatch policy that outlines system operations for BPA during times of high-energy production and low demand.
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Lawmakers seek compromise on energy mandate Washington State legislators have proposed legislation that would modify I-937, the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard. Utilities have been concerned since the voter initiative I-937 passed in 2006 that the mandates require them to purchase power they don't need, which impacts their ratepayers adversely. Environmental groups want to see tougher standards added to balance any exemptions sought in proposed bills.
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Behind Iberdrola's Portland layoffs: expiring wind-energy tax credits, declining demand, overloaded grid, cheap natural gas The uncertainty surrounding the expiring Production Tax Credits are not the only factor affecting wind turbine sales and manufacturing. Decreased demand for energy, historically low natural gas prices and transmission constraints have all contributed to the slow down in U.S. wind project development.
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Health Division Validates Some Concerns About Wind Farm Noise -
Oregon Public Health Division  released a draft report that acknowledges that noise from the blades of wind turbine may cause health problems among nearby homeowners. No action against the wind generators is planned.
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Vestas cuts over 2,000 jobs after profit evaporates -
Vestas, the world's largest wind turbines producer, plans to cut 2,335 jobs worldwide to return to profitability to the company after negative earnings were posted for 2011. Another 1,600 US jobs could be on the chopping block if the renewable energy tax credit is not renewed by Congress.
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Vestas Jobs Threat Pressures Obama to Extend Tax Break -
After Vestas - the world's largest producer of wind turbines -  announced that it could lay off an additional 1,600 employees if Congress fails to extend a tax credit that the burgeoning wind industry is depending on. The Production Tax Credit expires at the end of 2012.
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PUD proposal irks Pacific Power -
A preliminary proposal is being considered in Clatsop County to replace Pacific Power with a PUD for electric service.
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(And reposted on The Republic news site in Columbus, Indiana)
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Thurston PUD delays decision on electric takeover study -
Thurston County Commissioners take no action to form a PUD. Instead, they will delay a $50,000 feasibility study and do some research on their own to estimate the rough costs of ousting service from for-profit Puget Sound Energy.
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PUD faces challenges, opportunities ahead -
As utilities across the region are adjusting to challenges in new rates with tiered BPA contracts, Kittitas County PUD1 Commissioners and staff look at the opportunities as well, to provide affordable and reliable power to its customers.
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BPA asks feds to reconsider dispute pitting wind farms against dams - The Oregonian
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BPA asks FERC for rehearing on wind curtailment - Portland Business Journal
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BPA Files For Rehearing On FERC's Environmental-Redispatch Order  - North American Windpower
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Co-ops Press FERC in Wind-Water Case - Electric Co-op today
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BPA asks feds to reconsider dispute pitting wind farms against dams - The Oregonian
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BPA asks FERC for rehearing on wind curtailment - Portland Business Journal
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Wind farms earn £1m to shut down over Christmas and New Year gales -
Wind curtailment and the resulting complications are not just an issue unique to our region...In the United Kingdom the National Grid pays wind operators "constraint" payments when they require the turbines to shut-down.  Due to powerful storms that swept through threatening safe operations around Christmastime, one million pounds (roughly $1.546 million) was paid to wind operators. These payments are made to wind suppliers when the grid is unable to absorb excess power being generated and ultimately affects the ratepayers as the costs are passed on.
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Plan would boot PSE in favor of Thurston public utility district - The Olympian
In Thurston County, Washington a non-profit group has formed in support of public power and is gathering signatures to place a measure on the November asking voters to support the electrification of Thurston County PUD.  Currently Thurston County is served by Puget Sound Energy - a for profit company.
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Feds propose allowing wind-farm developer to kill golden eagles - msnbc.com
In a move that is being closely watched by conservation groups,the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service is considering granting a permit that would allow an Oregon wind developer to legally kill up to three protected golden eagles over five years if the company fulfills its conservation commitments.
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