Just in: Climate, consumers win big on Kalama

In a victory for the environment and utility customers, Washington state utility regulators halted the permitting for a proposed coal-fueled power plant in southwest Washington.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) ruled that Energy Northwest’s proposed coal-gasification plant in Kalama lacks a legal plan for permanently storing (“sequestering”) the massive amount of climate-damaging carbon dioxide it would emit. EFSEC refused to further consider the permit application unless and until Energy Northwest crafts an acceptable sequestration plan. 

The order states: "...the proffered Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan (GGRP) misses the mark by a wide margin -- it is not susceptible of a few minor fixes to render it even minimally sufficient."

We applaud EFSEC for protecting Washington ratepayers and residents – current and future – from this illegal proposal that is costly and damaging to the environment.
 
We hope Energy Northwest will accept this decision and turn its attention and estimable talents and resources to helping its member public utilities develop clean energy resources that the people of this state called for through I-937 and SB 6001.

A big "Thank You" goes out to the 1,500 citizens who contacted EFSEC, asking the agency to stop consideration of this plant. All your advocacy and hard work paid off … again!
 
You can find a copy of the order here or read the Press Release.