Washington's Clean Energy Future
In 2019, Washington State passed the Clean Energy Transformation Act requiring an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. This aligns with Avista’s own clean energy goals.
CETA requires electric utilities to eliminate coal-fired electricity by the end of 2025, use a carbon-neutral supply of electricity by 2030, and source 100 percent of their electricity from renewable or non-carbon-emitting sources by 2045.
There are also provisions to ensure affordability and reliability for all our customers as we undergo this energy transformation.
Rules for implementing CETA were adopted in December 2020 by the Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
Avista filed our 10-year Clean Energy Action Plan (CEAP) with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) on April 1, 2021 and April 30, 2021, outlining Avista’s resource acquisition plan for the next 10 years to meet CETA requirements.
In addition, we are working our Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) and forming our Equity Advisory Group (EAG) to help guide and lead our equity work. Find out more about both below.
The goal of the CEIP is to develop an implementation plan of specific actions to be taken over the next four years to show the progress being made toward clean energy goals by 2030 and 2045. The CEIP must also show customers are benefitting from the transition to clean energy through:
- The equitable distribution of energy and non-energy benefits and reduction of burdens to named communities
- Long-term and short-term public health and environmental benefits
- Energy security and resiliency
Avista is currently in the process of identifying and proposing actions for implementing the targets established in the CEIP. A series of meetings will be held to educate, inform and solicit feedback on the development of the CEIP.
How else can you get involved? Contact Avista directly via email at ceta@avistacorp.com or call Annette Brandon at (509) 495-4324.
Community input is vital to this process, and we are inviting the public to join in this effort through a series of technical meetings. To be added to the registration list, please email ceta@avistacorp.com.
Thursday, May 20, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Discussion topics
- Avista’s current clean electricity portfolio
- About the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA)
- Highly impacted communities as defined by the Department of Health
- About the Clean Energy Action Plan (CEAP) and Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP)
Thursday, June 17, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Combined with public participation meeting
Discussion topics
- CEAP targets
- Avista’s customer benefit indicators
- Renewable energy credit
- Breakout groups with Equity Advisory Group
Thursday, July 15, 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Discussion topics
- Customer benefit indicators and associated resource mix
- Customer benefit indicators methodology and measurement
- Resource details—location, budget, etc.
Tuesday, August 17, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Discussion topics
- Correlated customer benefit indicators, resource mix and metrics
- Cost-cap calculations
- Non-energy impacts
- Next steps for CEIP and engagement
Wednesday, September 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Non-technical public meeting to provide an overview of all topics from previous meetings. There will be limited time for feedback collected as this meeting is meant to be a summary of the process to date and how we will move forward with future CEIPs.
Avista’s Equity Advisory Group (EAG) is being formed to ensure customers are benefitting from the transition to clean energy through the equitable distribution of energy and nonenergy benefits and reduced energy burdens to communities and populations that have been identified as highly impacted by fossil fuel pollution and climate change.
Avista is seeking individuals who are interested being part of the conversations on equity in energy planning and implementation.
We are especially looking for those who are:
- older adults,
- economically disadvantaged,
- living with disability,
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- have an interest in environmental justice,
- are associated with public health,
- reside on tribal land,
- live in affordable housing, or
- are member of marginalized community or population
Interested persons are encouraged to complete and submit the Interest Form and email it to: ceta@avistacorp.com.
In addition to the EAG meetings featured below, EAG members are also encouraged to attend CEIP public meetings listed above.
Thursday, May 13, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. OR 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Discussion topics
- Meet and greet
- Review 2021 participation opportunities
Thursday, June 17, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Combined with public participation meeting
Discussion topics
- CEAP targets
- Avista’s customer benefit indicators
- Renewable energy credit
Tuesday, July 20, Time TBD
Discussion topics
- Review and discuss customer benefit indicators and associated resource mix with methodology and measurement
September, TBD
Discussion topics
- Discussion and planning for group path forward and how group continues to participate.