The TNT article published April 26th titled "Tacoma 'pirates' win this one; energy bill killed" is seriously misleading. Voters passed I-937 two years ago in order to spur production of NEW renewable energy sources, not to pat ourselves on the back for what we've already got.
The headline states, "energy bill killed," which implies nothing about watering down existing legislation -- in fact, quite the opposite. The article just says the measure would have "changed" I-937, but it doesn't specify the changes. The article goes on to say that the bill was supported by "most of the environmental community" (really? Who among environmentalists would have supported watering down a commitment to green energy?). Rep Brown alleged that SB 5840 would "spur green job creation," which no legislator is reported to have contested. Our Tacoma delegation's only objection was the inequity in tax breaks. So one is left with the overwhelming impression that a bill promoting clean energy was defeated. Who would have thought it was exactly the opposite?
When I first saw the headline and read the article, I was upset that our Tacoma delegation would so staunchly oppose green-energy solutions for the sake of the Almighty Dollar. But upon further research, I am now outraged that the bill, pushed by our governor and approved by the senate, would even be seriously considered and debated by the house. And that it may come up for another vote after the "money thing" has been "fixed"!
Kent Alcorn advances a different proposal in today's TNT. There must be ways we can respect the intent of I-937 without breaking anybody's bank.
Today's paper carries a story about another ice shelf breaking off in Antarctica. This is part of an accelerating trend, as reported yesterday. My current issue of Defenders of Wildlife's magazine features an article that describes the plight of lemmings and the carnivores that depend on them for survival; frogs and salamanders in Yellowstone National Park; yellow-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; and wood rats and deep-sea crustaceans. The lemuroid ringtail possum hasn't been seen in Australia in three years, and record high temps in 2005 are suspected of causing a massive die-off there. The NDRC estimates that all the glaciers may disappear from Glacier National Park by 2070. Droughts triggered by a warming climate are becoming more frequent, lengthier, and more severe, leading to great suffering and starvation for many peoples worldwide.
We cannot afford to ignore this situation any longer, if indeed it's not too late already. How could you face a starving African child or a drowning polar bear and say to them, "Sorry, but we had our ratepayers to take care of!"
I believe I-937 should stand as is, if not strengthened. Please reject out of hand any attempt to weaken efforts to shift to clean, renewable, sustainable energy. Our great state is rightfully known as a leader in environmental and conservation causes -- please do not waste this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to a livable planet for all!
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