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Do you want to live in a state powered by clean and renewable energy, and free from the threat of nuclear waste, weapons, and power? If the answer's yes, then you should join the Snake River Alliance. We have 30 years of experience watchdogging the Department of Energy and an active campaign to develop a sustainable energy future for Idaho. Every voice counts, so make a difference today and join us!

Candlelight Vigil: National Day of Remembrance for Downwinders

Friday, January 27, 8:00am
Boise Train Depot

Come light a candle and stand together with fellow Alliance members to remember those that have suffered from the fallout of above-ground nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site, including many of our friends and neighbors here in Idaho.

Meet at the Snake River Alliance's "Peace Tree" at the Boise Train Depot.

After the brief peace vigil, you’re invited to get warm and get centered with hot tea at the Shangri-La Tea Room (corner of Overland and Federal Way).

Dowload the Snake River Alliance Fall Newsletter to find out what we've been up to lately!

Inside:

• Nuclear Waste and Politics
• In League With the Future: Containing the Posion Fire
• Alki Fund Matching Grant Makes it a Great Time to Give
• 2011 Alliance Events at a Glance
• Dissappointments as Legislature Winds Down State Energy Plan Rewrite
• In Memoriam: Shaun Stamper: 1978-2011
• Thank You to All of Our Volunteers!
• Become a Clean Energy Advocate
• Join Us at our Upcoming Events

The Snake River Alliance is Idaho’s leading advocate for clean energy, and works with Idaho electric utilities, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, the Idaho Legislature and other stakeholders to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy and to move the state beyond its reliance on coal power, which currently accounts for nearly half of Idaho’s overall electricity fuel mix. In particular, the Alliance is asking each of these entities to help Idaho phase out coal power consumption and expand its focus on energy efficiency to reduce the need for that power generation.

The Legislature should codify the recommendations articulated by the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance’s Energy Efficiency Task Force, as well as those outlined in the 2007 Idaho Energy Plan regarding energy efficiency, if only to satisfy the assurances Gov. Butch Otter provided to the U.S. Department of Energy as a requisite to Idaho receiving millions of dollars in energy stimulus funds in 2009. The Public Utilities Commission should direct electric utilities to capture more of their achievable potential savings from cost-effective energy efficiency programs, and set targets to increase that efficiency capacity over time, as recommended by the state Energy Plan. The PUC should also require that each regulated electric utility fully analyze all coal plants they purchase power from and justify their ongoing reliance and investments in these aging plants as a requisite to recovering these investments from customers. These stopgap investments designed to keep power plants operating legally should instead be aimed at long-lasting clean energy programs that would eventually eliminate the need for those plants altogether. Finally, Idaho utilities should begin analyzing and preparing for an eventual phase-out of coal from their resource portfolios via their planning processes and integrate more efficiency programs and initiatives to meet current and growing load demands.

These decision-making bodies have the power to shape a clean energy future for Idaho free of dirty, dangerous, costly coal. Embracing energy efficiency and the benefits that follow from using energy wisely is an effort worth investing in, and the Alliance implores the Legislature, the PUC, and Idaho utilities to make this an urgent priority.

Download the Alliance's initial Idaho coal report to learn more about Idaho's coal habit:
Idaho's Dangerous Dalliance with King Coal

Idaho Energy Update

A weekly summary of energy and climate issues. We feature updates from the Legislature and state agencies, Idaho's utilities and regulators, and topical clean energy developments in Idaho and the Northwest - all designed to help you follow and participate in Idaho energy issues.
 

Carbon-Free, Nuclear-Free

To prevent climate change, the United States must phase out fossil fuels and nuclear energy by 2050. We can do this, according to both science and economics--all we need is the political will to make it happen.

Learn More About the National Campaign:  http://www.carbonfreenuclearfree.org/

Idaho Energy Collaborative

The Snake River Alliance is a coordinator of and active participant in the Collaborative.  The Idaho Energy Collaborative is an action-oriented group striving to create positive policy changes in Idaho related to energy.  It promotes energy efficiency and conservation and renewable energy development.  Business people, non-profit organizations, and knowledgeable citizens convene monthly to exchange ideas, track energy issues, and hear presentations from key stakeholders in energy related fields.

• Reprocessing Fact Sheet, created 10/14/11

• Areva Fact Sheet, updated 10/28/11
  

• Greater-Than-Class-C (GTCC) Waste Fact Sheet, created 5/12/11

• U.S. Nuclear Bailout Fact Sheet, created 5/12/11

• 2011 Idaho Legislature Energy Bills Summary, created 4/12/11

• Nuclear Costs Graphs, created 5/12/11

• Nuclear Reactors Worldwide Graphs, created 5/12/11

• Nuclear and Renewables Graphs, created 5/12/11

The Alliance receives 60% of its funding from foundations and 40% from people like you!  Thanks to our members, major donors, and these foundations for making our work possible: Edwards Mother Earth, Bullitt, Lightfoot, Tides, Engelhard, Community Involvement Fund, and Patagonia.