| December 13, 2005
OLYMPIA…In response to Gov. Gregoire’s call today for a move toward
energy independence and low-income heating assistance, Senate Republicans
said the governor is generally headed in the right direction, but took issue
with her timing and related policies.
“Senate Republicans are clearly supportive of a move toward energy
independence and have been insisting for the freedom to accomplish it for
years,” said Sen. Bob Morton, ranking Republican of the Senate Water, Energy
and Environment Committee. “Alternative fuels made from agricultural
products is one of our most promising paths to energy independence, and for
that to succeed, we need water. The governor’s water policies simply do not
support that goal.”
Senate Republicans authored comprehensive energy and water legislation in
2001 in an effort to prioritize water resources and diversify energy
production. Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, introduced Senate Bill 5524
during the 2001-02 biennium to assist low-income residents with their
heating bills. On Sept. 19 this year, Senate Republicans announced a
comprehensive alternative energy plan that focuses on energy
diversification, independence and immediate assistance for those struggling
to pay their quickly inflating energy bills this winter.
To date, Senate Republicans have publicly urged the governor nearly half
a dozen times to call a special session to help reduce the burden of rising
heating bills on families and low-income ratepayers. No immediate action has
been taken by the governor. Instead, her announcements have consistently
targeted the legislative session as the time to approve increased funding
for the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program.
“Waiting until session to approve money to help low-income residents with
their heating bills this winter is like waiting until the snow melts to
shovel your driveway,” Honeyford said. “A special session would have also
prevented state and local governments from collecting a windfall at the
expense of all ratepayers by capping the home heating tax. The governor
really missed the boat for truly helping struggling residents with their
heating bills and instead has already made plans to spend that money.”
Honeyford plans to introduce legislation this session similar to his
2001-02 legislation to help low-income residents with their heating bills.
His bill would capture public utility tax revenues above current amounts and
put them into two accounts: one to help low-income and elderly citizens with
their heating bills, a move that would generate $14.76 million in fiscal
year 2006, and another to invest in renewable energy projects, such as
methane digesters that transform dairy waste into electricity. His bill
would ultimately cap the public utility tax at 150 percent of current
revenues.
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For more information contact Tami Davis (360) 786-7519 or
davis.tami@leg.wa.gov
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