Background

Access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy is crucial to the well-being of people and the planet. Currently, about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are created through the production of electricity to cool and heat our homes and keep our lights and appliances running. The majority of this electricity is still produced through the burning of fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas. However, renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are rapidly developing across the country. Energy demand is expected to increase in the coming years as people electrify their homes with heat pumps and switch to electric vehicles. It is critical that clean and efficient energy infrastructure is developed to meet these needs.

In Washington State, a majority of our electricity comes from hydropower (~65%). This makes our energy sector relatively low-carbon compared to other states. Of course, hydropower is not a perfect energy source - its impacts on salmon recovery and tribal sovereignty are well documented. And as droughts become more frequent under climate change, the reliability of hydropower is called into question. A diverse system that balances a variety of power generating systems (wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal to name a few) would add much needed resilience to our energy infrastructure. A renewable energy grid is also critical to effective climate action in many other sectors. We won’t be able to meet our goals in areas like housing and transportation without access to renewables.

Access to clean and sustainable energy sources does still pose challenges, especially to low-income and marginalized communities. Solar panels, for example, while growing more affordable every year, still have significant up-front costs. They are also not as accessible to renters or people without a roof. While we encourage the adoption of these technologies for those that can afford them, we also support alternatives like community solar that bring the benefits to a wider range of people. Further, it is important that the creation of these renewable energy systems do not further perpetuate systemic harms against indigenous peoples. The siting of wind and solar farms as well as the extraction of materials for these technologies can threaten indigenous lands and ways of life if not done thoughtfully (an issue now being termed ‘green colonialism’).

The energy transition is coming, and is essential to combat the growing harms on our planet and communities posed by climate change. Renewable energy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as local impacts to community health. It will also add much needed stability and resilience to our energy system. Additionally, the transition to clean energy drives job creation in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, providing economic opportunities, particularly in underserved areas. We are eager to support legislation in Washington that facilitates a sustainable and just energy transition.