Energy Efficiency

PCC > Priorities > Clean Energy > Energy Efficiency

Energy conservation is the cleanest and least expensive way to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the Pacific coastal region. The more energy we conserve now, the fewer new sources of supply the region will need in the future.

Regional Best Practices:

The British Columbia Energy Plan outlines strategies targeting zero net greenhouse gas emissions, new investments in innovation, and an ambitious target to acquire 50 per cent of B.C. Hydro's incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020. British Columbia has also developed LiveSmart BC to help citizens and business find ways to save energy and money.
In September, 2008, the B.C. Building Code was amended to include new requirements to increase energy and water efficiency.
On September 18, 2008, The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted California’s first Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, a single roadmap to achieve maximum energy savings across all major groups and sectors in California.
Oregon’s 2007-2009 Energy Plan continues the progress that the state has made in reducing dependence on foreign oil and achieving energy independence.
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire believes it is imperative to create and maintain an ample supply of clean energy to support the state’s economic competitiveness and preserve its environment. Learn more about Washington's work on energy in the new millennium.

News From the Region

July 28, 2010: Washington Department of Transportation Launches West Coast Green Highway website

The West Coast Green Highway website highlights public/private partnership activities to advance the use of alternative fuel and electric vehicles along the I-5 corridor in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California.

July 9 2010: Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3 To Be Held At UC Davis This Fall

SACRAMENTO - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he will host the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3 at the world renowned Mondavi Center at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) on November 15 and 16. The third annual summit will bring together leaders from around the world to collaborate on efforts that will further the global fight against climate change, work towards collaborative actions to help reduce emissions and build green economies.

June 28, 2010: Gov. Gregoire announces plan to launch nation’s first electric highway

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire announced today that... Washington State’s transportation and commerce departments are teaming up to implement the nation’s first “electric highway,” an initial network of public access electric vehicle (EV) recharging locations along Interstate 5. Once implemented, Washington will have the first border to border highway to offer fast charge technology

May 20, 2010: California, Oregon, and Washington Take Action Toward Healthy Oceans, Coasts and Coastal Communities

OLYMPIA/SALEM/SACRAMENTO - The Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington today released eight issue-specific work plans to improve and sustain the health of the three states’ shared coastal and ocean resources and the communities that depend on them.

May 1, 2010: B.C. Offers Assistance to Deal with Gulf Oil Spill

VICTORIA – British Columbia is offering to send Environmental Emergency Response Officers to the Gulf of Mexico to assist in the clean-up operations currently underway to deal with the recent explosion on board a drilling rig, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

April 28, 2010: New Act Powers B.C. Forward with Clean Energy and Jobs

VICTORIA, BC: British Columbia’s new Clean Energy Act ... advances 16 specific energy objectives by expediting clean energy investments, protecting B.C. ratepayers, ensuring competitive rates, encouraging conservation, strengthening environmental protection and aggressively promoting regional job creation and First Nations’ involvement in clean electricity development opportunities.

February 12, 2010: Pacific Leaders Take Action on Clean Energy, Transportation, Ocean Conservation

VANCOUVER, BC: Leaders from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington have signed on to a series of joint actions that will help create jobs, strengthen the Pacific Coast economy, advance action on climate change and clean energy, and protect the marine environment.

December 17, 2009: B.C. Working with California to Reduce Vehicle Emissions

VICTORIA, BC /SACRAMENTO, CA – British Columbia and the California Air Resources Board have signed a MOU to pave the way for stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for new light-duty vehicles.