Regional Utilities Collaborate on Future of Electrification

Seattle, WA – The Pacific Northwest Utility Transportation Electrification Collaborative, a group of northwest utilities, today released a comprehensive study aimed at better understanding the economic, environmental and other regional benefits related to the electrification of transportation. The Study was a joint effort by Avista, Chelan County Public Utility District, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County Public Utility District and Tacoma Power.

This collaborative group is focused on working together to share knowledge across the utilities and develop opportunities to actively support transportation electrification in a way that best serves their customers and the region.  The study has been a significant first step in this effort.  A key area of focus was assessing how customers throughout the region could benefit from greater electric vehicle adoption. As the transportation sector electrifies, the study notes, the overall expenditures on energy across the transportation and utility sectors decreases and carbon emissions are reduced in the region.  For more on the study, see the attached overview.

The PNW Transportation Collaborative is a group of load-serving northwest utilities that meets regularly to evaluate key trends in transportation electrification, share program experience among the group, examine emerging issues, assess customer insights, explore potential new customer programs, build partnerships and consider policy issues. Collaboration among the utilities will help optimize long term benefits to customers and create a cohesive regional approach.  The group also works regularly with utilities in California and across the country, as well as non-profits and other organizations advancing transportation electrification.  As an indication of the Collaborative’s efforts see attached summary of programs and initiatives conducted or under consideration by the Collaborative’s members.

Contacts:

George Pohndorf, Snohomish County PUD, grpohndorf@snopud.com//425-320-9350

Ben Farrow, Puget Sound Energy, Benjamin.farrow@pse.com//425-456-2541

Note: Full study available upon request.