(TRI-CITIES, WA) -- The Washington State Energy, Environment
and Telecommunications Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday,
September 16, 2013, 7:00 p.m. at the Richland Public Library.
The hearing is
being held to give the public an opportunity to provide input and comments to
the Committee on the impact of the Energy Independence Act (EIA), or I-937 on
businesses and ratepayers in the community. Citizens for P.O.W.E.R. (Protecting
Our Washington Energy Rates), along with Benton and Franklin PUDs and Inland
Power and Light Company from Spokane will be giving presentations on the
unintended consequences of the EIA and the impact it has had and will continue
to have on our electric rates.
"Washington is fortunate to have some of the lowest
energy costs in the nation, which helps draw families and businesses to our
region," said Senator Doug Ericksen, GOP-Ferndale, and chairman of the
Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee. "As current
law requires utilities to ramp up the amount of energy they need from renewable
sources -- without recognizing hydropower as renewable -- our ability to retain
inexpensive power rates is going to be jeopardized."
"The purpose of the I-937 forum will be to develop
solutions to maintain our state's low energy costs while also continuing to
develop new energy technologies. I appreciate all of the work that has been
done in the region to raise awareness of this important issue, and I encourage
anyone interested to attend the forum," stated Senator Ericksen.
The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Citizens for
P.O.W.E.R. encourage the general public to attend and provide comments and
feedback to the Senate Energy committee on how the EIA has impacted them.
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