PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS, An Energy Supply Alert was proclaimed on January 26, 2001 due to several factors, which include low precipitation to feed hydropower, shut down of electrical power generating plants in California for unscheduled maintenance or repair, the failure of California's attempt to restructure the regulation of electricity, increased competition for natural gas supplies, and unprecedented high wholesale electrical power rates throughout the western United States; and

WHEREAS, Shortages of electricity have caused physical disruptions and rolling blackouts to ration energy in California, causing nearly debilitating harm to the public and businesses there. The crisis in California threatens the supply and price of electricity in Washington and other parts of the West Coast, and could affect the solvency of businesses in Washington. We must take all steps necessary to avoid a crisis of the proportions experienced by California, a crisis that directly threatens the very foundations of the entire California economy, vital public services, and the health, safety and general welfare of the public.

WHEREAS, The Bonneville Power Administration and private electrical power generating companies and utilities in Washington are undertaking extraordinary measures to mitigate the electricity shortage and its impacts by conserving electricity, using electricity reserves by drawing down reservoirs beyond normal, raising prices, and other measures.

WHEREAS, Utilities continue to face unprecedented financial difficulties, and could continue to alleviate their problems with temporary generators and alternative fuels. Several large businesses have ceased operations due to the cost of electricity, putting hundreds of people out of work. Public facilities have ceased operations due to inability to pay current and projected power expenses. Conservation efforts by the public and government have been quite successful, but insufficient to solve the problem alone.

WHEREAS, Without action, citizens of Washington, beginning with vulnerable people of limited means, may be unable to afford power for basic heating, lighting and cooking needs, threatening their health, safety and general welfare.

WHEREAS, Vital public services remain at risk, and immediate steps must be taken to alleviate social and economic impacts to people and property. We must operate all electrical generating capacity necessary to avoid jeopardizing the pubic health, safety and general welfare while doing everything possible to minimize the impact on fish and our environment.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, find that vital public services, particularly affordable electrical power, remain at risk, and there continues to exist a situation that threatens to disrupt or diminish the supply of energy to the extent that the public health, safety, and general welfare may be jeopardized; and therefore find that an energy supply alert continues to exist within this state. I have obtained the prior approval of the joint committee on energy and utilities, and with that approval hereby extend for an additional sixty days the state of energy supply alert proclaimed under Chapters 43.06 and 43.21G RCW on January 26, 2001. I further direct all state and local governmental agencies to fully comply with all orders that may accompany this proclamation or that may be issued pursuant to this proclamation as deemed necessary to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize, to the fullest extent possible, the injurious economic, social, and environmental consequences of this energy supply crisis. This proclamation applies statewide.