The Northwest is Planning its Energy Future
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council recently released a draft of its 9th Northwest Regional Power Plan, a 20-year roadmap for how the region will meet its growing energy needs. Electricity demand across the Northwest is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 years as data centers and high-tech industries expand, and our population grows. At the same time, climate change is bringing rising temperatures, declining snowpack, and other changes that are already affecting the region’s energy systems and rivers.
The Council, established in 1980 by the Northwest Power Act, is an interstate agency with Governor-appointed representatives from Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Oregon. Tasked with ensuring an affordable and reliable energy system while enhancing fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin, it must produce a new Fish and Wildlife Program and Power Plan every five years. The Ninth Power Plan may be the most consequential one yet: surging demand, affordability, and climate change are all challenges to face.
Historically, we could rely on energy conservation to enable the region to support new growth and keep bills affordable. However, conservation will not be enough for the forecasted energy demand from data centers and high-tech industries, building electrification, electric vehicles, and growing populations. Looking ahead, the Northwest will need a diverse portfolio of clean energy, energy conservation and demand response programs, and battery storage to ensure affordable bills and climate goals without jeopardizing the future of endangered salmon and steelhead.
Meeting the region’s growing energy demand does not have to come at the expense of salmon.
The draft plan provides a strong foundation of renewable energy, energy conservation, demand response, and battery storage. However, we must ensure the final plan:
Adopts strong conservation targets and encourages regionwide collaboration to meet the goals of the Fish and Wildlife Program.
Recommends the region prioritize clean energy and storage resources.
Encourages BPA to continue and expand the transmission upgrade program.
Creates a Load Management Forum to develop a regional load management strategy that maximizes flexibility and reduces strain on the river system.
Together, these resources can help keep electricity affordable and reliable, while reducing the region’s dependence on fossil fuels and reliance on the hydropower system.
How You Can Help
While other public comment opportunities across the country are being shortened, the Council remains committed to providing opportunities in-person and online.
The Council is accepting public comments through October 16, 2026, giving people across the Northwest an opportunity to weigh in on the region’s energy future. They are also holding public hearings throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
We have an opportunity to build an energy system that is reliable, affordable, and cleaner while protecting the rivers and salmon that define the Northwest.
Attend a Public Hearing:
Wednesday, September 9, 4:30–6:30 pm PDT
Northwest Power and Conservation Council Office, 851 SW 6th Ave, Suite 1100
You can also attend this meeting and comment via webinar. Register here and in order to comment, make sure to send your full name to meetingorganizer@nwcouncil.org
Monday, September 14, 4–6 pm PDT
Spokane City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
You can also attend this meeting and comment via webinar. Register here and in order to comment, make sure to send your full name to meetingorganizer@nwcouncil.org
Monday, September 14, 4:30–6:30 pm PDT
Idaho Fish and Game Office, 2885 W Kathleen Ave, Ste 1
Tuesday, September 29, 4:30–6:30 pm PDT
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, MJ Murdock Theater, 5000 Discovery Drive
Thursday, October 1, 4–6 pm PDT
Virtual only, Register
Monday, October 5, 4:30–6:30 pm MST
Edgewater, Bitterroot/Blackfoot Room, 100 Madison St.
Tuesday, October 6, 4:30–6:30 pm MST
Idaho Fish and Game Office, 4279 Commerce Circle
Wednesday, October 7, 4–6 pm PDT
Seattle University