Efficiency Connections Northwest Generates New Ideas on Energy Efficiency

SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), in partnership with utilities throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, kicked off the third annual Efficiency Connections Northwest conference in Spokane, Wash. The two-day event, Oct. 17 – Oct. 18, offers regional and national energy efficiency professionals a platform for collaboration on energy efficiency opportunities and new ideas in the region.

"Avista Utilities understands that collaboration between regional utilities, efficiency organizations and NEEA is important to meeting our future energy needs," said Bruce Folsom, director of energy efficiency at Spokane, Wash.-based Avista, the event's host utility. "This collaborative theme is the cornerstone of the conference as attendees learn and share ideas to move energy efficiency forward in our region."

Efficiency Connections Northwest, developed by and for Northwest utility professionals at both public and investor-owned utilities, emphasizes learning and peer-to-peer information. Attendees will create and cement valuable relationships and better understand emerging trends in the industry.

Keynote speakers include Roy Barnes, a national expert on improving the customer experience, Tom Eckman, conservation resources manager, NW Power and Conservation Council, and Ralph Cavanagh, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council.

"Now in its third year, the conference represents a creative gathering place for regional utilities and partners to collaborate on important energy efficiency issues in the region," said NEEA's Executive Director, Susan E. Stratton. "One of NEEA's roles in the region is to help utilities achieve their goals by serving as a regional coordinator and facilitator. I'm excited that NEEA has this great opportunity to engage our partners and include a regional and national perspective to the conversation on the importance of energy efficiency."

Between sessions, attendees can visit the Conduit Lounge and relax during the conference.  At the lounge, attendees can register, post and share information on Conduit, an online community that facilitates coordination and collaboration among energy efficiency professionals in the Northwest.

After hours, attendees can join the Conference Reception at Spokane's new Mobius Science Center, tour the Integrated Design Lab, a state-of-the-art demonstration, testing, and educational facility, or take site tours sponsored by Avista and others that illustrate LEED and energy efficiency building operations.  

View the full agenda of the conference here.

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization working to accelerate energy efficiency to meet our future energy needs. NEEA is supported by and works in collaboration with the Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 100 Northwest utilities on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. NEEA uses the market power of the region to accelerate the innovation and adoption of energy-efficient products, services and practices. Since 1997, NEEA and its partners have saved enough energy to power almost 600,000 homes each year. Energy efficiency can satisfy more than half of our new demand for energy, saving money and keeping the Northwest a healthy and vibrant place to live. www.neea.org

About Avista Utilities
Avista Utilities is involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy. We provide energy services and electricity to 359,000 customers and natural gas to 320,000 customers in a service territory that covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA). For more information, please visit www.avistautilities.com.

SOURCE Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance