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Peter Jensen

Communications Specialist

Peter is a Communications Specialist at the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Prior to the Council, Peter worked as a journalist for more than a decade with newspapers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. His reporting frequently covered energy, water, environmental, and fish and wildlife issues, including in the Columbia and Snake River Basins. After leaving journalism and pivoting to communications consulting, his work focused on energy and climate policy throughout North America, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, buildings, and heavy industry. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Western Washington University.

pjensen@nwcouncil.org

503-820-2300

Peter's recent news posts

Columbia River Basin fish & wildlife managers discuss status of white sturgeon, 2025 forecasts and 2024 returns for salmon and steelhead

At April’s Council meeting, managers from the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game provided forecasts for adult salmon and steelhead returns to the Columbia River Basin in 2025.

Council sets resource adequacy thresholds for Ninth Power Plan

At its April meeting in Portland, the Council set the thresholds for its resource adequacy metrics, which are intended to protect the Pacific Northwest's power system from outages that are too frequent, too large, or too long in duration.

April Council meeting is final one for outgoing Executive Director Bill Edmonds

After announcing in December that he would be stepping down, Executive Director Bill Edmonds has confirmed his final day with the organization will be April 18, shortly after the April 8-9 meeting in Portland. The Council also announced that Guy Norman, a former Washington Council member, will serve as interim executive director. Norman served on the Council between 2016-2023.

Explaining how the Council forecasts load growth for the Pacific Northwest power system

When you need to see in the dark, which will illuminate the terrain better – a flashlight or an aerial flare? This spring, Council Power Division staff will be using the latter approach to produce new 20-year load forecasts for the future of the Pacific Northwest’s power system.

Staff analyzes Ninth Power Plan’s resource costs, timelines, and first portion of energy efficiency potential

At March’s Council meeting, Power Division staff led presentations about the estimated costs and timelines to develop for generating resources, and the first portion of energy efficiency potential for the Ninth Power Plan.

Council welcomes Margaret Hoffmann and Chuck Sams as new Oregon Members

The Council will welcome two new Oregon Members at its March 11-12 meeting: Margaret (Margi) Hoffmann and Chuck Sams. Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Hoffmann and Sams, and the Oregon Senate has confirmed their appointments to the Council.

Remembering longtime Council staff member John Harrison

In February, the Council learned the sad news that John Harrison, a member of the Public Affairs Department for 31 years until he retired in 2022, had passed away. At February’s meeting, General Counsel John Shurts and Council Member Jeff Allen of Idaho gave remarks honoring Harrison.

Previewing the Ninth Power Plan: Key milestones, analysis, and upcoming decisions

At February’s Council meeting, Power Planning Director Jennifer Light explained how staff are approaching their analysis for developing the Ninth Northwest Power Plan. This included key scenarios, points of uncertainty, as well as modeling assumptions, and a preview of how it will unfold in 2025 and 2026.

Council briefings: BPA officials provide updates on resource programs, short- and long-term planning

At January’s Council meeting, senior BPA officials presented the results of their 2024 Resource Program, a planning exercise to assess what conservation and generation resources BPA may need to add in the near future, as well as early thinking for the agency’s 2026 Resource Program.

Council preparing to officially commence working on Ninth Northwest Power Plan in February

At January’s meeting, Power Director Jennifer Light and General Counsel John Shurts provided the Council with a roadmap to the upcoming process to developing the Ninth Northwest Power Plan and the major steps required by the Northwest Power Act.

Integrating energy and the environment in the Columbia River Basin

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