Social Media Policy

Any individual accessing, browsing and using an Energy Northwest social media site accepts without limitation or qualification, Energy Northwest’s Social Media Policies (Policies). These terms and conditions apply only to the social media sites (defined herein as third party hosted online technologies that facilitate social interaction and dialogue, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube) that are managed by Energy Northwest. Energy Northwest maintains the right to modify these policies without notice. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting the modification on the Energy Northwest social media policy page unless otherwise stated. Continued use of an Energy Northwest social media site following the posting of any modification signifies acceptance of such modification.

All users of an Energy Northwest social media site are also subject to the site’s own privacy policy. Energy Northwest has no control over a site’s privacy policy or their modifications to it. Energy Northwest also has no control over content, commercial advertisements or other postings produced by the social media site that appear on the Energy Northwest social media site as part of the site’s environment.

Energy Northwest operates and maintains its social media sites as a public service to provide information about Energy Northwest programs, services, projects, issues, events and activities. Energy Northwest assumes no liability for any inaccuracies these social media sites may contain and does not guarantee that the social media sites will be uninterrupted, permanent or error-free.

Although we encourage posts and comments on Energy Northwest social media sites, these sites are limited public forums moderated by Energy Northwest staff. Content and comments posted on Energy Northwest’s social media sites are periodically reviewed by Energy Northwest staff. All posted content (comments, photos, links, etc.) must be related to the topic at hand. The following are prohibited on Energy Northwest social media sites:

• Comments not meaningfully related to the particular topic presented;
• Potentially libelous comments;
• Posts and comments that promote or advertise commercial services, entities or products;
• Political statements, including comments that endorse or oppose political candidates or ballot propositions;
• Posts and comments that promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination as defined under applicable federal and state laws;
• Posts and comments that include vulgar, profane, offensive, threatening, or harassing language, personal attacks or unsupported accusations;
• Obscene or sexual content or links to obscene or sexual content;
• Illegal activity or encouragement of illegal activity;
• Comments from children under the age of thirteen (13) cannot be posted in order to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. By posting on an Energy Northwest social media site, users acknowledge that they are at least 13-years-old. People 12-years-old or younger should e-mail Energy Northwest instead;
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
• Private or personal information published without consent;
• Posts that disrupt normal operation of the forum;
• Hyperlinks to material not directly related to the discussion;
• Postings of, or requests for, other participants’ personal information, such as phone number, address, financial accounts, etc.;
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party, such as intellectual property.

Energy Northwest reserves the right to remove posted content that does not comply with these Policies, and ban users who post such comments and posts.

Communications made through Energy Northwest’s social media sites in no way constitute a legal or official notice or comment to Energy Northwest.

Links to other social media sites and external websites provided on Energy Northwest social media sites

Energy Northwest may post links to other social media sites and outside websites that offer helpful resources for users. Once an individual links to another page or site, Energy Northwest’s policies no longer apply, and users become subject to the policies of that page or site. Energy Northwest’s social media sites are intended specifically to share information about Energy Northwest’s projects, programs, events and services. Energy Northwest is not responsible for the content that appears on these outside links and provides these links as a convenience only. Users should be aware that these external pages and sites and the information found on those pages and sites are not controlled by, provided by, or endorsed by Energy Northwest. Energy Northwest reserves the right to delete links posted by individuals that violate Energy Northwest social media policies at any time without notice.

Links by other entities to Energy Northwest social media sites

It is not necessary to get advance permission to share, or link to, Energy Northwest’s social media sites. However, entities and individuals linking to Energy Northwest’s social media sites may not capture any of Energy Northwest’s social media sites within frames, present Energy Northwest content as their own, or otherwise misrepresent any of Energy Northwest’s social media site content. Furthermore, entities and individuals shall not misinform users about the origin or ownership of Energy Northwest’s social media site content. Links to Energy Northwest’s social media sites should not in any way suggest that Energy Northwest has any relationship or affiliation with that organization or Energy Northwest endorses, sponsors or recommends the information, products or services of that site.

All information and materials generated by Energy Northwest and provided on Energy Northwest’s social media sites are the property of Energy Northwest. Energy Northwest retains copyright on all text, graphic images and other content that was produced by Energy Northwest and found on its social media pages. Users may print copies of information and material for their own non-commercial use, provided that they retain the copyright symbol or other such proprietary notice intact and without alteration on any copyrighted materials they copy. Please include a credit line reading: "credit: Energy Northwest Facebook (or Twitter or YouTube) Page" or "Courtesy of Energy Northwest."

Commercial use of text, Energy Northwest logos, photos and other graphics is prohibited without the express written permission of Energy Northwest. Use of Energy Northwest’s logo is prohibited for any non-governmental purpose. Any person reproducing or redistributing a third-party copyright must adhere to the terms and conditions of the third-party copyright holder. If you are a copyright holder and you feel that Energy Northwest did not use an appropriate credit line, please notify Energy Northwest’s Public Affairs Office in writing with detailed information about the circumstances, so that the copyright information can be added or the material in question can be removed.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Energy Northwest social media policy or its implementation, or if you find incorrect information or are interested in seeking permissions that fall outside of the guidelines above, please contact Energy Northwest’s Public Affairs Office via email or (509) 372-5860.