The news seemed so amazing.

“About 85 percent of the Northwest's new power needs over the next 20 years can be achieved through conservation, according to a new plan being developed by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council,” The Associated Press’ Nicholas K. Geranios reported Aug. 10.

The council, appointed by governors of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, was established by the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to recommend energy policy for the Bonneville Power Administration. It's recommendation sets the goals BPA and regional utilities are supposed to meet.

The council was planning to vote in Spokane the next day on an ambitious Sixth Energy Plan that included the remarkable estimate. Geranios’ story was based on interviews with staff and the Washington council members.

He and they apparently didn’t think the vote Tuesday would be controversial. All of the council members had seen the draft plan for months and there were no major surprises.

After all, the council had far exceeded its prediction for low cost energy conservation in its 5th plan and has helped the region save 3,700 megawatts of electricity since 1978, more than enough power for three nuclear plants.

But when the story showed up on the front page of the Spokesman Review the next morning, the Idaho and Montana members where not happy. The story’s implication that the plan’s approval was a done deal didn’t sit right with them.

They voted against releasing it for public comment and sent it back to the staff for some changes and improved analysis. Idaho member Jim Yost said there’s no disagreement that conservation and energy efficiency should be maximized.

“We want to make sure the numbers are achievable,” Yost said.

The council's plan forecast Northwest utilities buying 1,400 megawatts of energy efficiency in the next five years and 5,800 megawatts by 2030, about a quarter of the energy used today. It foresees half of those savings from water heating, insulation, heat pumps and energy efficient consumer electronics, especially televisions. Another 40 percent would come from commercial and industrial savings.

The council is expected to vote again on the plan in the next three weeks.