Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 1, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Jim Luce, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, 360-956-2150; Leslie Thorpe, Washington State Department of Ecology, 360-407-6848

Gov. Gary Locke Proposes New Rules to Address Global Warming

Gov. Gary Locke today announced the next steps the state will take to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming.

The governor said the state’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) and the Department of Ecology (Ecology) are proposing regulations that would establish new siting standards for power-generating facilities. The standards are intended to establish clear requirements for new power plants, which will help assure abundant power at reasonable cost while still protecting the environment.

“Global warming will have a profound impact on Washington’s economy unless we take immediate action,” Locke said. “Last week I joined the governors of Oregon and California in announcing a package of steps aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Today we are moving forward to address power plants, the fastest-growing source of carbon dioxide emissions in our own state.”

United States power plants alone account for 10 percent of carbon dioxide pollution worldwide. Carbon dioxide emissions are a major component of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Climate changes attributed to global warming are reducing snow pack in the Cascade Mountains, threatening cropland, salmon habitat and drinking water supplies. Global warming also has the potential to erode Washington’s coastline, increase forest fires, and lead to devastating insect infestations.

The standards included in EFSEC’s initial draft rules cover offsetting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, water and air quality, wetlands, fish and wildlife, and noise and site restoration. The changes represent a total package of siting standards and revisions to existing rules, providing balance to the siting process.

“These draft rules respond to governor’s directive to develop quantifiable standards, streamline the permitting process, expedite decision-making and make it easier for new developers and the public to participate in the EFSEC process,” said Jim Luce, chair of EFSEC.

“We look forward to working closely with Jim and his team to assure that our rules pick up where their’s leave off,” said Mary Burg, manager of the state Department of Ecology’s air quality program. Ecology is responsible for regulating power plants that generate fewer than 350 megawatts per hour, and is currently developing rules to require CO2 offsets for these facilities.

EFSEC’s rules would require new energy plants to offset 20 percent of the carbon dioxide that would be emitted during 30 years of operation. Currently, Oregon is the only other state that requires CO2 mitigation for energy facilities.

Later this month EFSEC will hold public meetings in Seattle and Spokane to hear comments on the initial rules. Ecology will hold hearings on its rules next spring.

Information regarding the rules and standards development and projects under review can be found at EFSEC’s website, www.efsec.wa.gov, and at Ecology’s web site, www.ecy.wa.gov.

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