Northwest Power and Conservation Council Meets in Seattle to Discuss Approval of Draft Ninth Northwest Regional Power Plan

On Tuesday, August 11, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council meets in Seattle to discuss the approval of the draft Ninth Northwest Regional Power Plan for release and public comment.

The Council is composed of members representing the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and is directed by the Northwest Power Act to update the plan every five years to ensure an adequate, efficient, economical, and reliable power supply for the region while mitigating adverse impacts on fish and wildlife. The plan steers how the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), utilities, and regional decision makers choose the resources needed to meet the Northwest’s electricity demand. At a time of surging demand, affordability challenges and climate change-related pressures, it is more important than ever that the Council and the 9th Plan direct the region to a cleaner and more affordable and reliable energy future.

The Northwest is facing skyrocketing energy demand over the next 20 years, due to expansion of data centers and high-tech industries, building electrification, and electric vehicles, and population growth. As a region, our electricity demand has been fairly flat for the past few decades thanks to energy efficiency and conservation. However, this new load growth will be larger than conservation alone can cover, and we need to make sure the majority of new resources built are clean in order to protect people, fish and wildlife, and the planet. A diverse portfolio of mostly renewable resources, and the prioritization of energy efficiency, demand response, and storage, will help the region in the long run to ensure bills are affordable, keep the lights on, and meet our climate goals.

“In this time of uncertainty, it is essential for the Council to lead and show the best path forward for the region on energy, fish and wildlife protection, as they are mandated to do by the Northwest Power Act,” said Tamara Kennedy, executive director of the NW Energy Coalition. “With the multiple pressures on our region, from the urgent need for affordability to drought and wildfires, the stakes could not be higher for the Ninth Power Plan, and we need to get it right. We are grateful for the Council’s leadership and look to their authority on power planning to steer us in the right direction as a region. We are facing a lot of challenges at once, but we also know we have the diverse resources we need to protect people, fish and wildlife, and we just need to accelerate.”

“With dramatic changes on the horizon for our Northwest energy system, it’s time for a powerful roadmap to ensure sustainability and reliability,” said Amanda Goodin, attorney with Earthjustice. “We need a bold vision. An energy future that is cleaner, more efficient, and less harmful to our iconic salmon is possible — and it starts with clear accountability for Bonneville Power Administration to help instead of hinder this transition. This is our chance to plan for the future we need; it’s no time for half-measures.”

“Many endangered wild salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia Basin today are less than 1% of historic levels, and 2026 adult returns are shaping up to be some of the lowest on record. Now more than ever, we need to develop a regional energy plan that advances reliable affordable clean energy, while also upholding our promises to Northwest Tribes and communities reliant on healthy fisheries — and protect and restore abundant salmon and steelhead populations in the basin,” said Joseph Bogaard, executive director of the Save Our wild Salmon Coalition. “The Save Our wild Salmon Coalition looks forward to working with the Council to build upon its draft Ninth Power Plan to ensure it addresses the energy needs of our region and advances the comprehensive solutions necessary to rebuild salmon and steelhead populations.”

As part of the planning process, the Council seeks feedback from stakeholders to consider their opinions and needs before issuing the final version of the plan, and the Ninth Power Plan comment period is expected from mid-August to mid-October 2026. The NW Energy Coalition will be hosting a public webinar on August 24 on how to make your voice heard on the power plan and will be helping members of the public engage in the comment process. Learn more about the Ninth Northwest Regional Power Plan.