HomeMy WebLinkAbout3343 Resolution RESOLUTION NO.__3a�3
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington supporting
House Bill 2124 and Senate Bill 5964 which narrow the requirement for utilities to
purchase eligible renewable energy resources or credits when not needed to serve
customer loads.
WHEREAS, Initiative 937 (the Initiative), was approved by a bare majority of Washington
voters in 2006 resulting in the Energy Independence Act(EIA), which requires qualifying utilities to
incrementally increase the amount of eligible renewable resources to 15 percent by 2020 and to
pursue all cost-effective conservation requirements starting in 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Initiative failed in Franklin County, in neighboring Benton County, and
throughout Eastern Washington; only passing statewide by 51.6 percent; and
WHEREAS, many utilities' energy demands are not growing as projected or have declined due
to the combination of successful conservation programs and the poor economy; while the EIA
requires qualifying utilities to purchase specific qualified renewable energy resources or renewable
energy credits even if the utilities do not need additional power; and
WHEREAS,the purchase of unneeded eligible renewable energy resources or renewable energy
credits will have a detrimental impact on utility budgets, by increasing customer rates and negatively
affecting the economy; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 2124 and Senate Bill 5964 provide qualifying utilities the choice to
avoid the purchase of unneeded renewable energy or renewable energy credits; and do not change the
overall intent of Initiative 937, encouraging the use of conservation and the use of renewable energy
resources; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 2124 and Senate Bill 5964 will protect qualifying utilities from
unnecessary additional costs which could result in unwanted rate increases and further encumber the
economy, NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Pasco City Council hereby supports House Bill 2124 and Senate Bill 5964.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco at its regular meeting dated this day
of 2011.
Matt Watkins, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Debra Clark,City Clerk Leland B. Kerr, City Attorney