Over the river and to the voters/ Of Washington State we’ll go…
Posted on October 18, 2006 by oregoncub
Tags, Climate and Conservation, Legislative & Political
A few weeks ago CUB Staff Attorney Jason Eisdorfer was quoted in a Northwest energy news publication, Clearing Up, saying, “If we’re going to rely on utilities to save the world, we’re in trouble.” He was speaking of global warming and the need to switch to cleaner energy sources. Then last week we wrote about our first Energy Symposium, at which PGE executive Pamela Lesh said in response, “If we’re going to exclude utilities from being part of the solution, we’re in even bigger trouble.” Of course, they’re both right.
CUB doesn’t want to exclude anyone from being part of the solution, least of all the utilities which have so much direct and significant control over power production and its environmental side effects. But it becomes sometimes apparent that when utilities move too slowly they need to be hurried along a bit. That is the case with the movement transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources. It IS happening; we are developing alternative energy sources. But in order to adequately address a reduction in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, things need to be sped up. And though utilities can and must participate, it seems clear that utilities will not lead the charge on this particular issue. So who will? As an old axiom states, “When the people lead, the leaders will have to follow.”
The people of Washington State have a chance to lead on the issue of renewable energy, and CUB members have a chance to help Washington voters see what is at stake.
Washington will be voting on November 7th to decide whether to pass Measure I-937, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring that 15% of the state’s energy be produced from clean, renewable sources by the year 2020. That is an admirable goal, and when Washington voters hear the specific goals of the measure, they are overwhelmingly supportive.
Unfortunately, the ballot title does not always come across so clearly. Voters need to understand this measure to fully support it, and this makes voter contact extraordinarily important. That is why CUB is organizing groups to cross the river to Vancouver this Saturday, October 21st, and on November 4th, the Saturday before the election, to talk to voters, urging them to vote yes on I-937. We want you to come with us.
This measure is supported by a broad-based coalition that includes some of CUB’s strongest allies, such as Renewable Northwest Project, Northwest Energy Coalition, Northwest Energy Efficiency Coalition, and WashPIRG. Individual supporters include both U.S. Senators from Washington State, four of the State’s Congressional Representatives, Mayor Don Nickels of Seattle, King County Executive Ron Sims, and Denis Hayes, the founder of Earth Day.
CUB staff are making the passage of I-937 a priority because Oregon will also benefit from fewer emissions produced to serve the 6 million people that live upriver from us; after all, the air doesn’t recognize a state boundary. Furthermore, if Measure I-937 passes in Washington, chances are very good that Oregon will also pass an RPS in the near future, hurrying us along toward cleaner energy production and away from climate disruption.
So put it on your calendar and call or email our Organizing Director, Jeff Bissonnette: 503-516-1636. It will take about a four-hour commitment with the main activity being door-to-door walking as part of a team, talking to voters about the measure. There are also opportunities to make phone calls to likely voters, reminding them to vote and urging them to vote yes on I-937. Let us know that you would like to join us as we take a short trip across the river to help make possible a much more important journey: the road to cleaner energy, cleaner air, and a more stable planet.
Oh, and by the way, we all get a chance to vote on November 7th. CUB is a non-partisan organization which doesn’t endorse any candidates. However, we do encourage voters to pay attention to what candidates say about global warming, utility taxes, and other issues that are important to utility consumers.
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03/10/17 | 0 Comments | Over the river and to the voters/ Of Washington State we’ll go…