Natural gas
Federal regulators approve natural gas pipeline expansion through Washington, Oregon
UPDATED at 2:51 p.m. with additional reactions. Despite opposition from Northwest Democratic leaders, federal regulators voted unanimously Thursday to allow more natural gas to flow through Oregon, Idaho, Washington and northern California. The decision, made after a 10-minute reading of agenda items by the four members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, allows Calgary-based TC […]
Environmental groups ask Avista and Puget Sound Energy to leave powerful gas lobby
This article was first published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle. A coalition of 17 environmental groups are asking two of the largest electric and natural gas utilities in Oregon and Washington to end their membership in a powerful gas trade group that’s fighting climate change policies. Environmental organizations — including the Sierra Club, Eugene-based Breach Collective […]
Washington’s reworked heat pump rules get a cool reception from critics
Washington regulators on Friday veered away from requiring builders to install electric heat pumps rather than natural gas furnaces in new homes, apartments and commercial buildings they construct. Instead, in an expected move, the Washington State Building Code Council settled on an overhaul of energy regulations aimed at beefing up incentives for choosing heat pumps […]
The latest flare-up over Washington’s heat pump rules
Washington regulators derailed earlier this year when they tried to mandate electric heat pumps, rather than natural gas, be used to warm newly built homes and apartments. But now a path is emerging for them to offer builders incentives to choose heat pumps instead of gas and to make obtaining a construction permit more difficult […]
The ‘future of housing’ has arrived in all-electric developments
Grand Junction homebuilder Darin Carei decided to forgo a natural gas hookup to his Brookfield South Residential subdivision after learning the cost to bring in gas lines would be equal to installing solar panels on each of the houses that overlook the red-rock walls of Colorado National Monument in the distance. His company, Senergy Builders, […]
Washington’s heat pump push hits a snag
A controversial requirement that new homes and apartments built in Washington be warmed using electric heat pump systems rather than natural gas won’t take effect July 1 as planned. In an emergency meeting Wednesday, the Washington State Building Code Council delayed implementation of code changes until late October. The move came after a federal appeals […]