Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeWhen Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp recently told Tri-Citians he believed hydro-electricity should be considered a renewable resource in our state's "green" energy portfolio and that nuclear energy will have to eventually be included in our future energy solutions, I could not have agreed more. However, once safely planted back in Seattle, he performed a "west-side flip-flop" on these serious issues.
What was his excuse for not telling his Tri-Cities audience the truth?He had a "long day," according to hise-mail to the Tri-City Herald.
Our state and nation are in the middle of a complicated debate on energy conservation and renewable energy policies that will affect all of us. Energy independence, innovative fuel and power generation, as well as carbon taxation are extremely serious issues that should not be taken lightly. These issues are tied to much-needed job creation and the lifeblood of our economy - energy. So, the questions remain: What are the views of the speaker and how does he expect to power our state? Clear and coherent leadership on vital energy policies should not be too much to ask our state's top House Democrat.
The speaker's flip-flop is insulting to me considering many of his Democrat colleagues in the House voted in support of my amendment to Senate Bill 5840, which would have updated Initiative 937 to include hydro-electric energy as a renewable resource. Despite what some on the west side think, House Republicans are working to creatively meet the energy needs of this generation and the next in ways that leave a pristine and livable landscape.
My approach has been a no-nonsense, straight-talk dialog about how to create real-world energy policies, particularly in light of our struggling economy, for both sides of the state. I know where I stand on critical energy policies, and so should Democratic leaders, who hold the majority in the Legislature and governor's mansion.
Washington must put in place a law or, better still, a constitutional amendment that clearly states hydro-power is a renewable and clean source of energy generation. I plan to introduce a resolution next legislative session to do just that! Further, I believe hydro-power is a key element in helping Washington meet its goals of clean energy production, conservation and development of innovative, low-carbon renewable resources.
Think of it this way: Using our environmentally friendly hydro-electric energy to power a solar panel manufacturing plant in our state hits several of our self-directed goals. This scenario would allow for lower energy costs for the solar manufacturing firm, generate products that produce "green" energy and create family-wage jobs. It's a win-win situation. We need the power and we certainly want the jobs and innovation these companies can offer us.
On the issue of nuclear power generation, I understand both sides of the debate and believe we must start the dialog about how we meet our energy needs as a state and a nation in low-carbon ways.
Nuclear energy is just one part of a complete package of energy alternatives. It will help meet the needs of our industries, individuals, and to ensure future generations have the infrastructure to grow the economy in ways that fit their job base.
We are one of the only nations in the world that does not utilize nuclear power as a means of meeting ever-more demanding energy needs.
It's also a matter of good jobs for Washingtonians. The Tri-City region is full of highly trained workers who can maintain a nuclear facility in a way that has the least impact on all of us. Just as Boeing creates all types of family-wage jobs in the Puget Sound area, a new energy facility would do the same for Eastern Washington.
Before we let special interest groups draft our energy policies for state leaders, let's have the debate about what our energy demands are and will be in the future, and how to realistically meet them in ways that create jobs and ensure a solid economy while protecting our land, water and way of life.
* Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, represents the 8th Legislative District and serves on the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee. He has more than 34 years of experience in the nuclear industry.
Editorials are the consensus of the Tri-City Herald editorial board.
Editorial board members are Rufus Friday, publisher; Chris Sivula, editorial page editor; Ken Robertson, executive editor; Matt Taylor, contributing editor; Lori Lancaster, editorial writer; Shelly Norman, editorial writer and Jack Briggs, retired publisher
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