Northwest Power/Conservation Council Executive Director Plans To Leave In Spring

Just the third executive director of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council in 45 years is about to leave. After nearly five years in the position, Executive Director Bill Edmonds is planning to step down in spring 2025, according to announcement from the Council.

Edmonds was hired in July 2020 and his first day on the job was Aug. 17, 2020. He played a key role in guiding the organization through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery, the Council said. His future plans include teaching, consulting and community service.

“We appreciate Bill’s leadership and dedication to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council,” said Jeff Allen, Council Chair and Idaho member. “Bill joined the Council at a challenging moment during the Covid-19 pandemic and as work on the 2021 Power Plan was ramping up. His contributions helped guide us through and are deeply valued. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

The Council’s executive director is responsible for overall management of the Council’s central office.

“The opportunity to work for the Council was exciting for me because of the challenges we face here in terms of working on both fish and wildlife issues and power planning on a regional level,” Edmonds said. “I also have tremendous respect for our smart and dedicated Council staff, who provide technical expertise while engaging with the region on these crucial issues. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved during my tenure.

“Transitions are never easy at an organization, but this felt like the right time to make the move as we are still in the beginning stages of seeking recommendations for the Fish and Wildlife Program and gearing up for the next regional Power Plan,” he continued. “I’m looking forward to what comes next for me, and I know the Council will continue its excellent work on behalf of the region.”

Edmonds replaced long-time director Steve Crow, who served 25 years and who was just the second to serve in that position since the Council’s inception. The founding executive director was Ed Sheets who stepped into the position after passage of the Northwest Power Act in 1981. The Power Act of 1980 created the Council. Sheets served as executive director for 15 years.

Edmonds joined the staff in August 2020 after a long career in energy. Prior to his stint with the Council, he was director of environmental management and sustainability at NW Natural, a natural gas utility based in Portland. Prior to that, he worked for PacifiCorp, and initially served as a staff member for the California Public Utilities Commission, and as an environmental consultant.

In his work prior to the Council, he helped develop new and innovative strategies for addressing environmental issues while managing high-performing teams, according to information provided by the Council. At NW Natural he worked with an interdisciplinary team on a strategy to decarbonize the natural gas system using both renewable natural gas and renewable hydrogen.

Edmonds has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Williams College and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of California at Berkeley.

“Our plans for hiring his replacement are still in the works,” said Peter Jensen, Communications Specialist with the Council.

The power act stipulated that governors from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington appoint two members to an interstate compact, the Northwest Power Planning Council. The Council is comprised of the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The governors of the four states each appoint two people to serve on the Council.

Under the act, the eight-member Council is responsible for:

(1) developing a 20-year electrical power plan that will guarantee adequate energy at the lowest cost to the region;

(2) developing a regional program to protect and rebuild fish and wildlife populations affected by hydropower development; and

(3) developing these plans with extensive public input and involvement.

For background, see:

— CBB, August 13, 2020, CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT NORTHWEST POWER/CONSERVATION COUNCIL; LONG-TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CROW RETIRES, EDMONDS TAKE THE REINS, HTTPS://COLUMBIABASINBULLETIN.ORG/CHANGING-OF-THE-GUARD-AT-NORTHWEST-POWER-CONSERVATION-COUNCIL-LONG-TIME-EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR-CROW-RETIRES-EDMONDS-TAKE-THE-REINS/

— CBB, June 25, 2020, NW POWER/CONSERVATION COUNCIL SELECTS NORTHWEST NATURAL’S BILL EDMONDS AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STARTS AUGUST 17, HTTPS://COLUMBIABASINBULLETIN.ORG/NW-POWER-CONSERVATION-COUNCIL-SELECTS-NORTHWEST-NATURALS-BILL-EDMONDS-AS-NEW-EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR-STARTS-AUGUST-17/

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