A county-wide plan for San Juan County to be a leader in renewable energy

Islands Energy Coalition

IEC

PRESS RELEASE

Submitted by Islands Energy Coalition (IEC) Chair: Sandy Bishop, LCLT@rockisland.com

Date: January 6, 2011

BACKGROUND: The Islands Energy Coalition (IEC) is a countywide coalition whose

goal is to create a robust county-wide energy plan that is results-oriented and makes San Juan

County a leader in conservation, education and development of appropriate renewable

energy (RE) projects. Specifically the energy plan will include programs and projects that

produce economic, environmental and community benefits and incentives.

IEC members have been meeting for about a year. We started as a work group of the San Juan Community Foundation’s Critical Needs Task Force. These renewable energy installation types cover small wind energy systems (“SWES”), photovoltaic (“PV”) or “active solar” systems, and micro-hydro (stream-based) systems.

BENEFITS: By adopting and codifying a Renewable Energy Ordinance for small scale projects, San Juan County will be providing clear guidelines to its citizens on what is allowable and permissible.

Starting in 2011 our electric coop will be forced to purchase “Tier 2” power if our grid-tied power consumption grows. "Tier 1" is the inexpensive legacy hydropower, “Tier 2” will be bought on the open market and no one can say for sure what that price will be, but it will be more expensive than Tier 1. Hydro-power in this state is maxed out. We need to find kinder sources of energy such as locally produced wind and solar.

San Juan County gets about 85% of its power from hydro the other 15% is from nuclear, coal and other. After conservation, renewable energy production makes the most environmental and economic sense.

Renewable energy saves money by producing homegrown energy.

There are advantages to small-scale residential wind, solar and hydro. Some home sites are much better suited to one over the other. Depending on your site you may choose one sole source or a combination. Residential wind generation and hydro are especially helpful because they tend to generate more power during the dark and windy days and nights of winter, which coincides with San Juan County’s peak usage.

Renewable energy reduces local carbon emissions.

Renewable energy promotion helps create local jobs and fosters economic vitality.

Development of home-generated renewables can be economically viable to the homeowner if one takes advantage of federal tax incentives and local and state production incentives.

JOIN IN A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Go to: www.islandsenergymatters.blogspot.com. The Islands Energy Coalition invites community members to leave comments on our blog. We will do our best to represent citizens who engage in this conversation and help figure out a plan that serves the best interests of islanders and these islands. We do not have staff so if you leave comments we may not get back to you but we promise to read everything – but please no mean spirited comments.

WHAT’S NEXT: The San Juan County Council has included small-scale renewable energy installations on the Prioritized Planning Tasks list along with the updates to the Unified Development Code UDC section 18. In mid-to-late January county staff will begin looking at Section 18 and begin crafting language to update the code to include renewable energy.

The IEC goal is to help draft language that frames the development of a small-scale renewable energy into the UDC. This language will help facilitate small-scale renewable energy development that is consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Accordingly, we see the changes to code will refer only to residential systems not larger than 100 kW capacity.

We do not plan to work on language in support of large, industrial-scale applications.

METHODS: A member of IEC contacted all 39 County planning departments in the State to assess any renewable energy (RE) ordinances they might have. Fifteen responded. Six Counties in the eastern part of the State have some sort of small wind energy systems (SWES) ordinance. On the west side of the State, Whatcom County has the most complete renewable energy (RE) ordinance. We have taken the best ideas and will begin work with county staff to help frame language for changes to the land use-code.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Washington State regulations encourage deployment of renewable energy. For example, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) includes the following:

RCW 80.60.005: The legislature finds it is in the public interest to:

Encourage private investment in renewable energy resources; Stimulate the economic

growth of this state; and Enhance the continued diversification of the energy resources used

in this state. [1998 c 318 § 1.]

Other examples include the Washington state feed-in tariff (SSB 5101), the Washington State

Community solar act, the Washington State Net Metering Law (Chapter 80.60 RCW) RCW

82.16.110

Changes proposed would be in support of the intent and purpose of the San Juan County Unified Development Code and Comprehensive Plan and embody the very goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. Independence and self-reliance of islanders are terms used throughout the Vision Statement. The section Energy and Resources includes the

following: "Our community fosters resource and energy conservation. Energy independence is encouraged."

Energy independence is an important part of our future. Currently there is no language in the SJC Comprehensive Plan or Unified Development Code that deals with the specifics of renewable energy installations. However, certain sections of the Comprehensive Plan are relevant:

2.2.C Energy

Goal: To conserve energy and promote energy efficiency. Policies (2.2.C.1-2)

1. Promote education on site planning methods that make maximum use of energy-saving features of the natural environment.

2. Provide opportunities within land use designations for the development and use of alternative energy resources which are compatible with the natural environment.

Each area of the islands has its own unique opportunities for the use of renewable energy. Active systems that utilize these resources are very compatible with the natural environment. Wind power in particular has long been an integral part of the agricultural landscape of western North America.

CURRENT LANDSCAPE: As of this posting there is one legally permitted wind tower in the county. It is located on Lopez Island on the corner of Bakerview and Port Stanley. It belongs to Mr. Rick Strachan and is visible from the road. There are numerous solar photovoltaic systems through out the county that can also be viewed.

As fellow citizens we ask you to help us think through the issues so that we can design language changes to the code and help promote renewable energy production, energy independence, local jobs and a healthy vibrant environment.