Conservation/Environment
Energy Independence Act
In November 2006, Washington voters approved the Energy Independence Act, also known as Initiative 937. The act, codified as RCW Chapter 19.285, imposes targets for energy conservation and use of eligible renewable resources on the state’s electric utilities that serve more than 25,000 customers. Specifically, these utilities, both public and private, must secure 15 percent of their power supply from renewable resources by 2020. The utilities must also set and meet energy conservation targets starting in 2010.
Under the act, conservation is defined as any reduction in electric power consumption resulting from an increase in the efficiency of energy use, production or distribution. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, qualifying utilities must begin acquiring all conservation that is cost-effective, reliable and feasible. Each utility is required to set an annual target consisting of a certain share of this achievable cost-effective conservation potential and to meet that share of conservation. A utility must identify its achievable cost-effective conservation potential through 2019. Every two years the utility must review and update its 10-year assessment. Each impacted utility must establish a biennial acquisition target and meet that target during the subsequent two-year period.
On Nov. 16, 2009, the Chelan County PUD Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to consider establishing 10- and two-year conservation targets as required under RCW Chapter 19.285. Due to their related nature, commissioners also considered two standards under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA): 1) integrated resource planning/energy efficiency; and 2) rate design modifications to promote energy efficiency investments. Commissioners adopted a 10-year conservation plan and two-year targets in compliance with the Energy Independence Act.
Questions should be directed to John Stoll, Customer Service Director, at (509) 661-4539 or by e-mail.
For more information, visit these links:
Preliminary presentation to Board of Commissioners Oct. 12, 2009
Presentation to Board of Commissioners Oct. 26, 2009
Call for public comment (Wenatchee World legal notice Oct. 18, 2009)
Display ad inviting public comment (WenatcheeWorld - Nov. 1, 2009)
Energy Independence Act - RCW 19.285
New energy conservation programs taking shape (Oct. 12, 2009 Commission news release)
Presentation to Board of Commisioners Nov. 16, 2009
Chelan PUD adopts 10-year energy conservation targets; will offer conservation incentives (Nov. 16, 2009 Commission news release)
Resolution Adopting a District Energy Conservation Incentive Policy (Nov. 16, 2009)