EKCC 2020 Energy

Energy 2020 Session Position

A reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply is vital to the continued economic growth of Washington State. The East King County Chambers Coalition strongly supports the transition to a clean energy future.

While utilities continue to face transformational change in their industry, responding to evolving customer expectations and rapidly changing technological advancements policy makers need to enable utilities to be nimble in a rapidly changing market place. Given legislation adopted in 2019, future policies should encourage the use of performance and incentive-based regulation, along with appropriate glide paths and compliance tools to aide in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on the electric grid.

At the same time, we recognize that the future of clean, affordable and reliable energy in our region is reliant on clean, affordable natural gas. Whether in an industrial, commercial or residential setting, natural gas plays a key role in keeping our economy moving forward.

When it comes to the electric grid, natural gas is widely recognized as a clean and affordable alternative to coal, and can be used effectively to meet baseload demand and fill the gaps from wind and solar power’s intermittency.

• Prioritize the implementation of legislation adopted in 2019 titled the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
• Reduce barriers and develop incentives to electrify the transportation sector.

Consult with various groups, such as:

•  Investor owned utilities such as PSE, who have large service territories and are playing a key role in the vehicle electrification.
  Organizations like ACES Northwest Network
•  PACCAR, a leader in freight trucking electrification.
• Recognize and support land-use planning requirements in a manner that will continue to protect the environment and ensure the reliability of energy services, including the necessity to upgrade existing facilities and add new energy infrastructure and equipment to meet energy needs of businesses and residents. Allow cities to protect vital infrastructure information for security purposes.
• Protect access to clean and affordable Natural Gas for industrial, commercial, residential, electric and transportation uses.