Pflug battles Democrat bill to limit renewable energy production and conservation

March 11, 2009

OLYMPIA…Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, made this statement today regarding the Senate’s narrow passage Tuesday of Senate Bill 5840. The bill would undermine the original goals of Initiative 937, the Energy Independence Act voters approved in 2006, by limiting the amount of energy conservation for which utilities can receive credit and capping the amount of renewable energy they can produce.  

 “The stated goal of Initiative 937 was to ‘increase energy conservation, the use of renewable energy…to build on the strong foundation of low-cost renewable electrical generation in Washington, and to promote energy independence.’  

 ‘I-937 promotional materials said, ‘Washingtonians overwhelmingly support energy conservation and new renewable resources, but the state Legislature has refused to take action.’  

“Imagine voters’ surprise when they see we’re supporting them by putting a cap on energy conservation. When they see we’re honoring them by limiting renewable energy production.  And we’re doing this during an economic crisis, when reliable, affordable electricity is critical to our businesses, especially the manufacturing sector. This makes no sense at all.  

“What are we doing? We refuse to allow for increased renewable energy generation because utilities might produce too much energy…and on top of that we’re concerned we might have too much conservation so we put a cap on that, too.  This bill is not a ‘work in progress,’ it’s a mess in progress.”  

Sen. Pflug represents the 5th Legislative District, which includes North Bend, Maple Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish, Fall City, Snoqualmie and
parts of rural King County.

For more information contact Pat Albright
at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov^.