Tag Archives: renewable energy

So what’s a life of a US serviceman worth? What’s the life of someone in Iraq who’s caught in the crossfire worth? Not much if you accept the head in the sand attitude of some large corporations in Washington State who are contributing to the campaign to defeat Initiative 937.

Initiative 937 is already law in 20 states according to Marketwatch. It is a simple initiative. It requires that by 2020 large utilities obtain 15% of their electricity from renewable resources like wind and solar and undertake cost-effective conservation.

Rather than supporting efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and the need to send American servicemen and women to fight a war over oil in Iraq, the large corporations opposing I-937 seem to be only looking at their narrow self interest by not wanting to be obligated to do anything.

They are running childish radio ads trying to scare people into thinking their energy bills will go up. If you factor the cost of the Iraq War into our energy bills, then our bills are already astronomical. Maybe its time for us as a state and a nation to grow up and take responsibility and end our dependence on oil from other nations. Why send billions and billions of dollars to people in the MidEast? Why not spend it in our own backyard?

Initiative 937 says that it is the policy of Washington State that:

“Increasing energy conservation and the use of appropriately sited renewable energy facilities builds on the strong foundation of low-cost hydroelectric generation in Washington state and will promote energy independence in the state and the Pacific Northwest region. Making the most of our plentiful local resources will stabilize energy prices for Washington residents, provide economic benefits for Washington counties and farmers, create high quality jobs in Washington, provide opportunities for training apprentice workers in the renewable energy field, protect clean air and water, and position Washington state as a national leader in clean energy technologies.”

So here is the list of the “Head in the Sand Let’s Just Kill People for Oil” corporations and businesses who are opposing the common sense energy security Initiative 937:

Weyerhauser …………………………………$101,200
Avista ……………………………………………..$50,000
Boise Cascade ………………………………….$50,000
Longview Fiber ……………………………….$50,000
NW Pulp and Paper …………………………$50,000
Regional Solutions Committee………….$35,000
Washington Rural Electric Coop ……….$32,500
Pacific Corp……………………………………….$25,000
Am. Forest and Paper Assoc……………..$10,000
Columbia-Snake River Irrigators………$10,000
Boeing ………………………………………………$10,000
Penisula Light Co……………………………….. $5,000
Port Blakely Tree Farm……………………….$5000
Sabey Corp…………………………………………..$5000
Westbrook Farms………………………………..$5000
Columbia Rural Electric Assoc,Inc ……….$2000
WTA Services Assoc…………………………….$2000

Total…………………………………………………$456,690

Figures are from Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.

You can help the Initiative 937 campaign by urging your family, friends and neighbors to vote Yes on Initiative 937 on or before Nov.7th, 2006. You can also visit the Yeson937 campaign website to make a donation and volunteer to help.