80 PLUS® Program Pushes Market to Improve Computer Energy Efficiency
HP First Major PC Manufacturer to Support Program
Portland, Ore.– Nov. 20, 2006–HP, the world’s largest PC vendor, will offer an 80 PLUS certified power supply option on its 7000 and 5000 series of business PCs as early as January 2007. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) funded the 80 PLUS® Program in 2004 to encourage computer manufacturers to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of their machines by installing highly efficient power supplies – the devices that convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).

Ellensburg's energy efficiency and solar effort
8/1/06, nwcurrent.com

Energy Program

AWC is involved in the energy issue in these ways:

Energy Policy

Monitoring regional and state energy policy issues and representing the city perspective to state (OTED Energy Policy Division) and federal agencies involved in setting energy policy.
A resolution was adopted at the AWC annual business meeting that states AWC's position on energy.
In addition to monitoring energy policy for all cities and towns as users of energy, AWC pays careful attention to policy affecting the nineteen cities in Washington that provide energy. (Blaine, Cashmere, Centralia, Cheney, Chewelah, Coulee Dam, Eatonville, Ellensburg, McCleary, Milton, Port Angeles, Richland, Ruston, Seattle, Steilacoom, Sumas, Tacoma provide electricity and Buckley, Ellensburg, and Enumclaw provide natural gas.)
Assisting the governor during energy supply alerts.

Energy Efficiency

Promoting energy efficiency by informing local government officials about energy efficiency technology and practices. Please check out our energy efficiency resource links as well as The Operator newsletter, published quarterly.
Partnering with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a nonprofit partnership of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups and industry representatives committed to bringing affordable energy-efficient technologies to the marketplace.
Under the Local Government Project funded by the Alliance, AWC facilitates the marketing of Alliance market transformation projects, educates local government officials and employees about their energy efficiency options; and serves as a source of information for the Alliance regarding local government energy issues.