McCoy’s ‘Energy Freedom’ bill
wins final passage, goes to governor

Legislation is aimed at promoting efficiency, innovation in the marketplace

April 22, 2009

OLYMPIA – “Go.”

Yes, even here. Even here in this legislative sausage grinder to beat all legislative sausage grinders. Even here at the intersection of Rock Street and Hard Place Avenue. Even here, the light turns green every now and again.

Once in awhile, a bill gets the “Go” sign. Even here.

State Rep. John McCoy’s plan to bolster the development of alternative energy all across the Evergreen State won final passage in the full House of Representatives yesterday (Tuesday, April 21, 2009).

The bill expands the state’s Energy Freedom Program to “promote, develop, and encourage energy-efficiency, renewable energy, and innovative-energy technology markets in our state,” McCoy explained.

“We need to increase access and make it possible for forward-thinking people with the vision and the technological know-how to successfully move alternative-energy projects from the drawing board to the marketplace.”

“This legislation will help reduce our reliance on carbon and fuel-based products,” he emphasized. “We need to make changes in the Energy Freedom Account in order to obtain federal money for more energy-efficiency programs that get products online faster.

“Even as we speak, there are folks out there chomping at the bit to get started on projects involving alternative and renewable-energy sources – including solar, wind, wave, tidal, geothermal, wastewater, anaerobic, and biomass,” said McCoy, who chairs the House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee that has debated a number of energy bills the past several years.

“There are strategies for reducing consumption through innovations such as smart grids and smart metering, for example,” noted McCoy, D-Tulalip.

The measure expands Washington’s Energy Freedom Program by including state efforts to promote, develop, and encourage energy efficiency, renewable energy, and innovative energy-technology markets. It also amends the Energy Freedom Account by allowing the use of moneys provided by the federal government.

McCoy said that “projects will be brought online that will reduce our dependence on oil-based products. Smart grid, smart metering, electric, geothermal, wind, biogas, wastewater, anaerobic, wave, tidal, and solar are some of the types of projects covered.

The Energy Freedom Program was set up in 2006. Right now, the Energy Freedom Account is available in the state Department of Agriculture to help finance development of a viable biofuel industry. McCoy said the goals of the program and the account include promoting public research and development in biofuel sources and markets, and supporting a strong biofuel-crop sector in the agricultural industry.

McCoy guided his House Bill 2289 through both the House, 92-4, and the Senate, 45-0 – and yes, now the measure has the “Go” sign to the governor’s desk.