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Washington State Commits To Running Entirely On Clean Energy By 2045 (gizmodo.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Gizmodo: On Thursday, the Washington state legislature officially passed one of the most ambitious clean energy bills in the nation. Washington is now committed to making the state's electricity supply carbon neutral by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-free by 2045. The bill makes the fourth state to commit to 100 percent clean energy and adds a feather to the cap of Governor Jay Inslee who requested the bill be introduced. Inslee is running as a climate candidate for president that can get things done in the District if elected, and this bill is a very tangible accomplishment he can now point to.
The bill previously passed the state senate 28-19. After passing the house 56-42 on Thursday, the legislation goes back to the senate for a final vote. Once signed into law, Washington will join, Hawaii, California, and New Mexico as the fourth state committed to 100 percent clean energy. Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico have also made similar commitment as well as more than 90 cities, according to tracking by the Sierra Club. The bill shuts the door on coal, saying it "is the policy of the state to eliminate coal-fired electricity." By calling for energy to come from carbon-free sources by 2045, it leaves the door open for nuclear power. [...] In addition to committing to cutting emissions, the bill is also designed to ensure the transition to renewables and any bumps in energy prices aren't shouldered by the poor. The bill calls says utilities "must make funding available for energy assistance to low-income households."
The bill previously passed the state senate 28-19. After passing the house 56-42 on Thursday, the legislation goes back to the senate for a final vote. Once signed into law, Washington will join, Hawaii, California, and New Mexico as the fourth state committed to 100 percent clean energy. Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico have also made similar commitment as well as more than 90 cities, according to tracking by the Sierra Club. The bill shuts the door on coal, saying it "is the policy of the state to eliminate coal-fired electricity." By calling for energy to come from carbon-free sources by 2045, it leaves the door open for nuclear power. [...] In addition to committing to cutting emissions, the bill is also designed to ensure the transition to renewables and any bumps in energy prices aren't shouldered by the poor. The bill calls says utilities "must make funding available for energy assistance to low-income households."
Was going to post something to this effect; it's virtually meaningless green-standing.
Next up, Idaho commits to cutting potato imports to 0 by 2055. "This spuds for you!"
>"It isn't that hard. We're already in the 85%+ range as it is because most of our state's power is hydro-electric."
Which illustrates why doing such things (like most things) at the State level makes sense. Each State is different- has different resources, issues, problems. It spurs competition, encourages experimentation, allows faster reaction, focuses on issues that matter to those in that area, and allows more freedom. I have to remind people about the concept of the United States all the time (and the 10th Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights).
Boomer logic. "Oil is fine for us, let's stick our kids with solar."
It is no longer renewable, but clean. That is the smart way. It is foolish to commit just to wind/solar with storage. We need an.energy matrix. We also need to quit adding natural gas power plants. Last year, we went up a couple of %, and that was due in large part to nat gas electricity.
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
It's long term enough thinking that the politicians proposing it won't be around to take the blame when it doesn't happen. They are committing the next generation to pull it off, not themselves. So they DO get political benefit without actually doing anything.
How about a moderation of -1 pedantic.