Washington's I-937

post from Neo Commons on 11 October 2006 05:06:51 PM. © Neo Commons

There is a clean energy initative here in Washington that is starting to make the news. I-937 requires that state utilities have a 15% mix of clean, renewable energy by 2020. Critics say the movement is already underway and I-937 is not needed. Supporters state that I-937 will offer a cleaner and healthier future for the state.

Research indicates there might not be enough power available from renewable resources to meet the initiative's requirement that large utilities get 15 percent of their power from clean energy by 2020.

Forcing power companies to produce more wind, solar and other types of clean power could cost more, and clean the air less, than I-937 supporters project.

And although some Washington communities have welcomed wind farms ? the most cost-effective form of clean energy currently available ? that has not been true in all cases.

A spokesman for Puget Sound Energy, which is neutral on I-937, says the two wind farms it's built near Ellensburg and Dayton, Columbia County, were a good deal for the company, but agrees that costs have jumped. Wind power today is comparable ? but not necessarily cheaper ? than other forms of energy, spokesman Roger Thompson said.

A clause in the initiative would waive the 15 percent standard for utilities whose costs increase more than 4 percent because of the requirements.

The story is here.

I-937

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