Vote 'YES' for Renewable Energy in WA!
Want to know the best way for Washington state to create jobs, boost the state's economy, reduce our dependence on polluting energy sources, support farmers and rural communities, and do all this without raising taxes? On Tuesday, November 7, please make sure to vote yes for Initiative 937!
The initiative would create a large, growing market for clean, renewable energy by requiring 15 percent of electricity sold in Washington would come from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020.
Our new analysis shows that by 2025, Washington customers would save four dollars a month off their average electric bill. According to our research, the initiative would create over 1,000 new jobs, spur over $138 million in additional state income, and reduce as much emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide as taking 750,000 cars off the road. Through utility conservation requirements, the law would also save enough energy to meet the needs of 720,000 homes.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has been a major supporter of the initiative and we thank you for all you’ve done to help get this far. Now take the final step and vote for I-937 on Tuesday. Please forward this message to your friends so Washington can get the clean, renewable energy it deserves.
Check out the new television ad, featuring UCS' analysis, from the Yes! on I-937 Campaign and vote YES next Tuesday!
Thanks again for all your help,
Ben Larson
National Field Organizer
Clean Energy Program
More information The Union of Concerned Scientists analyzed the costs and benefits of the renewable energy and energy efficiency provisions of I-937. Our new analysis on the Washington state renewable energy standard was released to the media on October 31.
According to our analysis, under our expected case scenario which primarily utilizes cost and performance projections from industry experts, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, we found that by 2025, I-937 would result in the following economic benefits for Washington:
- 2.9 percent, or $1.13 billion, in savings on consumer electricity bills.
- 2,000 new jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and other industries.
- $138 million in additional income and a $148 million increase in gross state product.
- $2.9 billion in new capital investment.
- $30 million in income to rural landowners from wind power land leases.
- $167 million in new property tax revenues or payment in lieu of taxes for local communities.[1]
Energy Demand
I-937 would create a stable market for new renewable energy and energy efficiency in Washington. The renewable energy standard would support nearly 1,300 average megawatts (aMW) of renewable resources by 2025, including wind, landfill gas, bioenergy, and efficiency upgrades at existing hydroelectric facilities. This level of development would produce enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 930,000 average homes.[2] I-937's conservation requirements would support the acquisition of more than 1,000 aMW of cost-effective energy efficiency from 2010 to 2025—freeing up electricity from existing sources that is equivalent to meeting the needs of about 720,000 average homes.
Consumer Energy Bills
Energy costs are on the rise in Washington as regional utilities pursue new, higher cost, conventional resources to meet growing power demand. I-937 would reduce energy demand, provide price stability by diversifying the power mix, and deliver long-term savings to energy consumers.
By definition, investments in cost-effective conservation will reduce the total cost of meeting power supply needs over time. During the next decade, new renewable resources are projected to be cost competitive with new conventional resources such as coal and natural gas. By 2017, the investments in renewable energy begin to deliver demonstrable savings compared with conventional energy sources.
With the efficiency and renewable energy investments combined, consumers would see annual savings on electric bills under I 937 beginning in 2014, with savings reaching 7.2 percent, or $362 million. Accumulated electricity savings from the efficiency measures will offset the upfront costs of consumer equipment purchases in just a few years. From 2008 to 2025, cumulative savings across all consumer sectors—residential, commercial, and industrial—would total 2.9 percent, or $1.13 billion.
During this period, a typical Washington household would save an average of nearly $1.50 on its monthly electricity bill. By 2025, monthly savings would reach nearly $4.00.
Job Creation
By 2025, 2,000 new jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and other industries would result from I-937. In fact, the amount of additional renewable energy and energy efficiency required would create 2.6 times more jobs than fossil fuels—a net increase of 1,230 jobs by 2025. It would also generate $138 million in additional income, and $148 million in gross state product in Washington’s economy.
Environmental Benefits
Increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy use will protect the health of Washington’s citizens and environment by reducing global warming pollution from coal- and natural gas-fired power plants. By 2025, I-937 would keep about 4.6 million metric tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from entering the atmosphere each year—equivalent to taking 750,000 cars off the road. It will also reduce harmful air, water, and land impacts from extracting, transporting, and using fossil fuels, as well as preserve ecological resources for future generations.
For more information, please see the final report of UCS' analysis of I-937.
Footnotes
[1] Results are in cumulative net present value 2005 dollars using a four percent real discount rate. Job results are for the year 2025.
[2] Assumes average monthly residential consumption of 1,017 kilowatt-hours based on 2004 data (EIA, 2005).
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