Excerpts from:Washington Senate OKs changes to clean energy law
By Manuel Valdes
OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington state Senate approved on Thursday a bill that amends a clean energy law approved by voters in 2006, grandfathering in pulp mills and forest product manufactures to be included as renewable energy facilities.
The measure was approved on a 28-19 vote, with most of the opposition coming from Democrats.
Under the bill, law would be changed to count certain plants built before 1999 as renewable energy facilities and add certain by products of wood mills and solid human waste as accepted biomass.
In 2006, voters approved Initiative 937, which aimed to move the state toward cleaner energy, requiring utilities with more than 25,000 customers to supply a percentage of their energy from renewable resources. The bill also precluded plants built before 1999 as being able to be counted as renewable energy facilities. The initiative also listed acceptable biomass, such as animal waste.
Under the law, if a utility can't meet the percentage thresholds, they need to buy renewable energy credits to offset the shortfall. By grandfathering in pulp mills, those plants can claim energy created from by products as renewable energy.
Supporters say saving that money will retain jobs in Washington...
Democratic Sen. Sharon Nelson of Vashon Island says voters wanted new renewable facilities, not old plants to be categorized as clean energy facilities. She also said that the plants aren't creating new jobs.
"I'm disappointed. I think the citizens of the state were clear on what they wanted," Nelson. "I don't consider (the facilities) green as far as what our citizens have said."
Nelson attempted to change the bill with amendments but those were struck down on the floor. The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.
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HOLY CRAP!!!
ReplyDeleteNeed we ask how our senator voted? Holy crap indeed!
ReplyDeleteposted by: Dick Curtis
ReplyDeleteI must be getting more mature. 43 years ago, as the medical leader in charge of all medical issues involving a forward infantry Battalion in Vietnam, I was responsible for the disposal of the Battalion's Waste Fecal Matter!! Well, folks, back then we mixed it with diesel fuel, stirred it and Burned It! Let me tell you, no one wanted to be "down wind" of this mess!
Now, here in Shelton and Mason County, we face the very Real Potential in the Very Near Future of "Burning Human Fecal Waste Matter" -- and running Diesel Trucks to transport it! WOW!!!!!
Of course, the prevailing winds will take the related Pollutants and SMELL "Up-wind" to Lake Limrick, Mason Lake, Grapeview, Allyn, Belfair and beyond.
When the Realtors MUST divulge that "Human Fecal Waste Matter" is being burned by ADAGE and Solomon and/or also Simpson ---- can you imagine how very, very difficult it is going to be to SELL A HOME in Mason County area?? Just think of the ### of home owners who are now going to be "UNDER WATER"!!!
ReplyDeleteOH, so nOW we'll get to smell & breathe POOP when the PULP runs out, if proponent$ get their way???
ReplyDeleteThe planning is breathtaking!!!
posted by: Dick Curtis
ReplyDeleteIn reference to this article and the above comments, several questions need to be asked and later answered:
1) Does anyone know of a Scientific Study on related Pollutants generated from the incineration of Human/Animal Fecal Waste Matter?
2) Has any Study indicated what "Smells" would be released by the burning of Human/Animal Waste Matter and what it might be like to..."live down wind"?!!
3) Will those filter bags at ADAGE capture the "Smell" of burning Fecal Waste Matter --- or will they release a certain %% into the air--like all other pollutants? I assume it won't take much to really "Smell like sh.."!!
Remember also that the old Simpson Plant may be grandfathered in under this SB. They do NOT have an acceptable filtration system and will allow for a high release. The Solomon plant, being smaller, will not have the stringent standards of a 60-65MW plant. Again, they will be releasing pollutants.
4) We know the wood chips will be stored in piles. Will the Human/Animal Fecal Waste Matter be stored (dry) in piles of sh.., or will it be stored in ponds (cess-pools) to be pumped to the burners?
Oh, my! What a SMELLY Topic All Around!!!!