Green Power Program?

"Continuing to do or restarting the same thing can be significantly less beneficial than adopting a new and better approach."

As you may remember, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) had a voluntary donation program to promote "green power".  Since a portion of their power is generated through petroleum and coal fueled generating plants, this was probably a good program.

 Our PUD's involvement with a green energy program, such as was offered by Puget Sound Energy, that would likely not occur, but I wouldn't rule it out for the future.  Currently, our PUD purchases the its power from BPA (Bonneville Power Administration), with most of that hydro generated.  BPA purchases additional power from Energy Northwest which produces power though solar projects, such as White Bluffs, and wind projects, such as their Nine Canyon facility.  They also have limited hydro power and some nuclear generation capacity.   This means that nearly 100% of our power is carbon neutral and "green".

Other larger PUD's, with 25,000  or more customers, are required to participate in such a program as a "qualified utility" under the Washington State Energy Independence Act (RCW 19.285 AKA I-937) that sets a minimum percentage green-sourced power.  Clallam County's "Watt Green" program and Chelan County's "SNAP" program are examples.  As our PUD is now at around 19,000 customers, we do not fall under this legislation.

What I would like to see is investing collected "green" dollars into developing a local community sponsored solar array such as the one for the City of Ellensburg (city electric). This would result in an "investor" net-metering program, providing benefits to those participating, based on their contribution level.

This would produce green energy, keep the construction and operations dollars, as well as revenue from power generated, local.  This would also help, in conjunction with an aggressive conservation program, reduce the amount of power we purchase from BPA so we can continue to purchase BPA power under their tier 1 schedule, the lowest rate available, well into the future.   This would also help provide additional power for future community growth.

Thanks and REMEMBER TO VOTE!!