Northwest Energy Efficiency Council

Nonprofit trade association of the energy efficiency industry

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Washington State Energy Strategy Development Kicked-off by Commerce

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SB 5849 passed by the 2009 Washington Legislature, scripted the Department of Commerce to develop a state energy strategy document for consideration in the 2011 Legislature. The DOC recently announced its public process for input and participation in the crafting of this strategy. Rogers Weed, DOC Director, recently announced;
 

“I am pleased to announce that the Department of Commerce (Commerce) is launching an effort to revise the State Energy Strategy (SES), Washington’s comprehensive plan for meeting our future energy needs. This project is the result of action taken during the 2010 legislative session. An update to the state’s energy strategy is due to the Governor and the Legislature on December 1, 2010, with a full revision to be delivered by December 1, 2011. This legislation directed the revision of the state energy strategy and declared that a successful strategy must balance three goals to:

  1. Maintain competitive energy prices;
  2. Foster a clean energy economy and jobs; and
  3. Meet obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Commerce has refocused its mission on growing and improving jobs in Washington State. Energy is a key sector of the state’s economy and a high priority for Commerce. The SES, last revised in 2003, does not reflect the needs and opportunities presented by our growing demand for energy, clean energy technologies and resources, and the state’s obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An up-to-date energy roadmap is needed to help maintain competitive energy prices and to establish our state as a global clean energy economy leader.
 
Commerce is committed to an open, collaborative process and will regularly solicit input and feedback as both the update and complete revision of the SES are developed. Information will be available on the project web site regarding past energy strategies, guiding legislation, advisory and technical committee activities, and schedule of events. Click here to visit Commerce’s State Energy Strategy Website.
 
Once on the website, please sign up for the SES ListServ to receive updates about the project, including opportunities to provide input. The web-site and ListServ are a key way to stay informed. We also want to encourage you to forward this email to contacts you believe would be interested in the SES revision process. “