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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I know you just recently heard from me. However, I want to make sure you're aware of an important and urgent opportunity to share your ideas, concerns, and input regarding a bill that affects you and the entire state of Washington.
A public hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 8:00 a.m. in the House Environment and Energy Committee on House Bill 1871.
I introduced the bill on Friday, but we ran out of time for public testimony. However, those who wish to participate and share their input can still do so tomorrow. In addition, if you do want to share your opinion but do not wish to testify publicly, you can also provide written testimony.
Tomorrow's public hearing will be broadcast live on TVW. Those wishing to submit written comments, testify remotely on the bill, or let their position be noted for the legislative record, may go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House. Select “Environment and Energy Committee” with the meeting schedule of 01/25/22 8:00 a.m., and then select “HB 1871 Alt. energy facility siting.”
Those who also wish to directly provide written comments on the bill to representatives in their legislative district may go here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1871.
This bill would establish a short-term moratorium on the siting of alternative energy facilities that would end on Dec. 1, 2023. It would also establish a legislative task force to investigate possible solutions to the current inequity between clean energy-producing and energy-consuming counties.
The task force would also consider how that inequity might expand dramatically with the current approval process that evaluates each project in isolation rather than as part of a cumulative impact that will occur over decades. You can learn more about this bill here.
I urge you to share your ideas and concerns about this issue. Too many rural counties are being forced to house alternative energy facilities but are seeing nothing in return. It's time to revisit the process to determine where these sites are located and who benefits from them. This bill offers a fair and reasonable plan to reevaluate this issue for everyone involved.
Thank you for your time and your support. I'm truly honored to serve you.
Sincerely,
Mark Klicker
