Takko’s legislation clears House to boost use of renewable resources

Lawmaker says plan is good for economy and for environment

February 15, 2008           

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Dean Takko won House of Representatives support this evening (Feb. 15, 2008) for an idea that he says “will make it much easier to build and develop energy-production facilities that are both economical and beneficial to the environment.”

The vote was 92-2 for the measure.

Takko’s legislation (House Bill 2639) clears hurdles that now stand in the way of the development of electric-generation facilities that put renewable resources such as wind and solar power to work.

“These changes in current state law are needed so that we can create the cooperatives needed to finance and build these projects,” said Takko, D-Longview.

Public Utility Districts could participate in these projects both with other governments and with private enterprises, according to terms of his measure, which now goes over to the Senate for more discussion. 

Takko pointed out that, although greater use of environmentally friendly, renewable resources is an important objective in his bill, “the provision of cheaper power for the public is every bit as important.” 

The Energy Independence Act of 2007 was written as a result of a citizen-initiative approved by the voters in 2006. Terms of the act direct that large utilities must, by the year 2020, secure at least 15 percent of their electricity from renewable resources such as solar and wind power.

Other renewable resources include water, landfill gas, wave/ocean/tidal power, biodiesel fuel, and biomass energy. 

Takko is a member of the House Local Government Committee that first supported his legislative plan earlier this year. Also backing the bill in committee testimony were representatives from the Cowlitz Public Utility District, the Washington Public Utility Districts Association, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.