HB 1081 - DIGEST
Ensures that small alternative energy resource facilities are sited in a timely manner in local jurisdictions where there are no existing ordinances to permit these facilities, where applicable ordinances have not been updated in over ten years, or where ordinances have been adopted that impede the timely permitting of these facilities.
Encourages local governments to enter into interlocal agreements with the energy facility site evaluation council.
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Katherine Price
There is a bill in committee in the Washington State House which would remove from the Thurston County Commissioners, and presumably any County Commissioners in Washington, the authority to place a moratorium on the construction of biomass facilities. It's not as simple as that sentence implies, but that is the gist of it.
A review of the bill is disheartening, as one reads a document created to move forward with greater speed projects which the citizens and local governmental agencies might want to slow down or even prevent.
House Bill 1081, introduced by Representatives Morris, Frockt and Moeller, would indeed remove the authority for permitting "small facility siting", and "development of small alternative energy resource facilities" from local authority. Why are they proposing to usurp local governmental authority? The language of the bill explains that: "The legislature finds that small alternative energy resource facilities provide various benefits to local communities such as..."
Now here we must pause, because what comes next will make the air-breathers of Mason County shudder. What the legislature finds of benefit to local communities are such things as:
"Reducing emissions of air, soil, and water pollutants", followed by jobs, diversifying energy and, of course, a clean, sustainable energy industry. So, the legislation opens with a giant lie. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
If local authorities do not get to decide for themselves, who will decide? Why the "Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council", of course. This organization was created under the auspices of RCW 80.50.030. Guess we will be learning a lot about the "Council" in the next few hours and days as we try to bring ourselves up to speed on yet another piece of the puzzle that Tim ShelTon and friends put in place weeks, months or years ago, for just such an occasion.
The Council's powers are defined in the legislation, and there are some conditions under which the Council would be the permitting agency, but I am sure they all fit neatly into what is required to insure that ADAGE and friends up and down the Olympic Peninsula get that they need. And there's good news for the state, they have decided the applicant shall pay $50,000, pocket change to Duke Energy, which funds will be used for things like council members' wages, employee benefits, and replenished when reduced...
One of the purposes of the Council, besides taking the authority from local governing agencies like county commissioners, is to speed things up. They will have public hearings, but not later than 60 days after receiving an application for site certification.
Some of the really offensive language comes at the end, such as: "A small alternative energy resource facility site permit issued by the Council preempts any local ordinance relating to small alternative energy resource facilities adopted after the issuance of a small alternative energy resource facility site permit". In English: If a county or city wanted to protect itself, say the City of Shelton from a second Simpson biomass facility which the Council had permitted, changing the local ordinance after they permitted would be trumped by this new law.
In closing, the legislature leaves us with this thought, oh fellow air-breathers:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions and takes effect July 1, 2011."
This legislation is an abomination. It is written for industry, to thwart the will of the citizens, and it must be defeated.
We need to contact Kathy Haigh and Fred Finn to encourage them to vote against this bill.
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
Link to Complete Text of the House Bill 1081
CONTACT: Rep. Kathy Haigh (D)
kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Fred Finn (D)
fred.finn@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. David Frockt (D)
david.frockt@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Jim Moeller (D)
jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Jeff Morris (D)
jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Sen. Tim Sheldon (?)
sheldon.timothy@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Gov. Chris Gregoire
http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Fred Finn (D)
fred.finn@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. David Frockt (D)
david.frockt@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Jim Moeller (D)
jim.moeller@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Rep. Jeff Morris (D)
jeff.morris@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Sen. Tim Sheldon (?)
sheldon.timothy@leg.wa.gov
CONTACT: Gov. Chris Gregoire
http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
Throughout the late 1950's and early '60's you could turn on the TV and see a commercial with a doctor telling you how menthol cigarettes were actually good for your throat. The Surgeon Generals office knew better, but it took until 1964 before the cost of cancer outweighed the benefits derived from the taxing of cigarettes. And then there was biomass, proving, once again, from experience we have learned absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteSubmitted by Jack Miles
ReplyDeleteI was reading the language of the proposed House Bill 1081, and to me it sounds like the legislature is taking decisions out of the hands of local control, and it appears the state is wanting to collect fees from the permitting process for profit. This bill could also stop local entities from imposing moratoriums throughout this state. Sounds like the state council that was formed would recommend approval, or not, with the Governor making the final decision.
Dick and I encourage EVERYONE to write to our local Representatives -- we have just now. We, of course, already know that our Sen. Sheldon is "one of the major backers" of the Senate Bill. We can call other Reps and Senators without having to be in their districts -- some will listen.
ReplyDeleteBills like these threaten our very Democracy!!
Once enacted, then other rights will be taken away -- one-by-one.
Submitted by Clint Ferrara:
ReplyDeleteLetter I sent to Reps:
You cannot take away the right of a community to protect itself from corporate carpet baggers.
The corporate greed that would extract our natural resources for profit leaving only pollution behind does not need any more help from our state representatives.
If passed these bills would destroy the Olympic Penninsula and all of the communities in the region. For what? A few wealthy people to get even wealthier?