News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 16, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Myths and misinformation cloud energy and drought crises, Locke says

VANCOUVER - Gov. Gary Locke today said myth, speculation and misinformation are making it difficult to deal with the energy and drought crises facing the state.

Speaking before Vancouver-area Kiwanis Clubs, Locke said some Northwest residents believe there is little point in conserving because the BPA sends saved power to California.

Locke emphasized that California this winter has been returning twice as much power as it has received from Bonneville Power Administration.

"Since November, California has returned 323,000 megawatt hours to BPA-twice as much as BPA supplied," the governor said.

He also noted that many people believe Seattle consumes much of BPA's power. In fact, he said, only about 20 percent of its production is purchased by Seattle.

Locke also said a lot of people don't understand why new power plants haven't been built in Washington in recent years.

"The truth is, the state did approve six new gas-fired projects for private companies that could have provided 2,786 megawatts of power," he explained. "It was not we who decided not to build the plants, it was the companies ... for business reasons."

Other power plants also are on the drawing board.

"We in the state of Washington took action and approved permits long before there was any energy problem," he added.

The governor said he also was pushing legislation that would require Washington energy producers to utilize more renewable resources, such as wind power.

Locke said he also has worked with private companies to expedite efforts to bring new power on line - providing any temporary generation that increases air pollution above federal standards must be offset pound for pound. Those companies have provided extraordinary concessions to keep the air clean.

The governor emphasized that the federal government controls the Bonneville Power Administration, the region's largest supplier of power, and only Washington D.C. can stabilize runaway wholesale energy prices.

Therefore the short-term solution to the energy crisis is in the hands of the federal government.

"In the short-term, the real key to reducing outrageously high energy costs is for the federal government to repair the wholeale market structure," Locke said. "We need to stabilize this erratic market long enough to let California, and now other states, get back on their feet."

The governor warned the drought would complicate the energy situation because the state is very dependent upon hydropower.

He said the drought emergency he declared this week would activate several tools the state Department of Ecology needs to allow people to share water with those who don't have enough. It also provides access to a $5 million Drought Account to provide assistance for farms, fish and local communities.

Locke called for water conservation by governments and citizens.

"Working together, we can keep our farmers and industry in business, keep our salmon alive and keep a healthy water supply for our citizens," the governor said.
Related Links:
- Energy is Money. Think Before You Spend it.


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