Western Resource Advocates

We recommend support to the Western Resource Advocates (WRA) to purchase web-based videoconferencing equipment and services for their offices in Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. WRA is a long-time grantee of the Hewlett Foundation with a strong record of policy successes protecting western lands and promoting clean energy and low carbon strategies in the Intermountain West. A web-based videoconferencing system will enable WRA to more effectively link program staff and other partners without requiring equipment at every meeting location, significantly save on travel costs, and create a model for mitigating CO2 pollution.

Western Resource Advocates is a long-time Hewlett Foundation grantee with a strong record of policy successes protecting western lands and promoting clean energy and low carbon strategies in the Intermountain West. This two-year grant would provide general program support for Western Resource Advocates’ energy program efforts in the electric power sector and for the prevention of oil shale development in the West. The organization achieves its goals through a pragmatic mix of economic analysis, legal interventions, and public advocacy. Its focus for the next two years includes: • Integrating at least 25 percent renewable power (with associated transmission lines) into the western energy system by 2020. • Blocking any new coal plant from being developed in the West and retiring at least 25 percent of existing coal plants by 2020. • Reducing the amount of water dedicated to energy production and protecting water quality from the impact of energy development. • Advocating for market and regulatory reforms within the power sector that allow for more demand-side management and energy efficiency policies. • Blocking all commercial development of oil shale or tar sands within the Intermountain West.