I wonder if the Snohomish County PUD commissioners searching for a new CEO read the June 24 Everett Herald editorial pointing to the need for an urgent response to climate disruption. (“More reasons to limit carbon.”)
Despite the fact that our rivers are literally drying up, PUD wants to build more hydro. With 85 percent hydro, 7 percent fossil fuel, and less than 1 percent solar and wind, PUD seems to be ignoring its own policies.
In an apparent contradiction of the clear evidence and science documenting the accelerating pace of climate change, PUD is still pushing forward with their obsolete hydro generation plans.
Solar has filled in for big hydro-power losses in California during 2014 where PG&E installed one new solar system every 11 minutes for a total of 1.68 gigawatts of new solar electric generation, while California Edison installed 1.04 gigawatts of new solar.
PUD’s new CEO will need to think outside the box, acknowledge that climate change is real and that continued over-dependence on hydro-power is not only PUD’s Achilles heel, but it is also in conflict with PUD’s strategic plans and climate change policy.
The new CEO should move quickly to cease efforts for Skykomish River hydro and instead commit to a rapid expansion of the Solar Express Program starting with 30 megawatts of new solar in 2016. Combined with an expansion of ethically purchased battery storage technology, PUD might yet create a meaningful role for itself as a public utility responding to climate disruption by creating a path to energy resilience.
David Wick
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
