Earth Share of Washington

Renewing Washington's Energy Future

Wind Production Numbers Show Standards are Economic Stimulus

OLYMPIA - The Washington legislature is poised to adopt a policy proven to increase development of renewable energy and energy efficiency, allowing the state to join the ranks of others using the combined purchasing power of their utilities to benefit local and statewide economies.

Last year's wind-farm construction boom demonstrates a strong link between industry growth and states with Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). During 2003, 65 percent of U.S. wind development occurred in states with either an RPS or a renewable energy fund, such as the Energy Trust of Oregon. Wind farms installed throughout the country last year will generate more than $5 million in annual payments to landowners. All four states with the most wind development in 2003 have RPS policies in place.

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the 1,700 megawatts of wind power developed in the U.S. during 2003 was a near record, surpassed only slightly in 2001. Minnesota's wind development in the last year was nearly 15 times Washington State's modest incremental wind power construction. Nearly all of the 15.6 megawatts of wind developed last year in Washington resulted from expansion of Energy Northwest's Nine Canyon wind farm in Benton County. That's very little new growth, especially in a state blessed with tremendous wind resources - enough to supply close to two-thirds of the state's electricity needs, according to the recent Renewable Energy Atlas of the West (www.energyatlas.org).

Washington legislators are considering numerous bills encouraging increased renewable energy and energy efficiency including elements of RPS policies established in other states, most relying on incentives and flexible compliance to gain utility support. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that, if enacted in Washington, such policies would attract the growing wind industry to the state and stimulate more than $28 million annually in land lease payments, property tax revenues, wages, and economic activity for every 100 megawatts of wind power generation developed over the next 20 years. The bills also would unleash inland communities to harvest clean energy from the 4.3 million tons of biomass produced each year in Eastern Washington. According to a recent Washington State University study, this biomass surplus could produce 3.1 million megawatt-hours of electricity, 40 percent of Eastern Washington's residential load (www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0307021.html).

"Washington's legislature has an important opportunity to build the rural economy and stabilize electric rates through SHB 2333," said Randy Smith of NW Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED). Smith noted the American Farm Bureau Federation's recent endorsement of renewable electric standards - a sign that the national farm community values the development of renewable energy sources to stimulate rural economies.

To learn more about renewable energy in Washington, contact Earth Share of Washington members Climate Solutions and Northwest Energy Coalition.

A Forest Voice Restored

- by Kevin Mack, PAWS Wildlife Naturalist

On January 16th, 2004, a medium-sized pet transport carrier sat on the ground on a large piece of private property near Oakville. The door was wide open, but the carrier's occupant was hesitating to exit, and with good reason. The last time he had been on this property he had been thin, weak, and half blind. He had also been under attack by crows, who preferred not to share their territory with a predator. His situation would have been hopeless had Sarah not come to his rescue. Sarah owns the property on which this drama was playing out, and she came out of her house to see a bedraggled Great Horned Owl in need of help. She was already familiar with this owl as she had been enjoying his distinctive "hooting" calls that filled the woods behind her house at night, and she did not hesitate to offer her assistance. After scaring off the crows and placing the owl in a box, Sarah drove the bird to a Tacoma veterinarian who then transferred him on to PAWS. On December 6th, 2003, the Great Horned Owl arrived at PAWS and was given the case number 03-4489.

During his initial physical examination, Great Horned Owl 03-4489 was found to be extremely thin and dehydrated. He also had an obvious vision deficiency in his right eye. The eye injury had likely been the result of collision with a vehicle, and in conjunction with acute head trauma it had probably prevented the owl from successfully hunting for several days. A few days after owl 03-4489 arrived at PAWS, he was examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist, who determined that the eye injury was in the process of healing. A subsequent exam several weeks later confirmed that the eye had improved dramatically. Vision was returning and, thanks to a steady diet of mice and rats, so was the owl's strength. He graduated to a large outdoor flight pen where he was free to stretch his wings and condition his muscles for release. By January 16th, he was ready to return home to Sarah's property.

Great Horned Owl 03-4489 finally mustered the courage to walk through the open carrier door and reenter the world. He paused on the ground in front of the cage for a moment, and assessed the view that was laid out before him. He chose a path and made for the small patch of trees that had been silent at night during his absence. As the owl disappeared into the trees, I could tell by the look on Sarah's face that she was overjoyed to have this feathered being sharing her property once again. I hoped that the owl would repay Sarah's kindness in the best possible way; by filling her woods with the haunting sound of his voice once again.

PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, an Earth Share of Washington member organization, rehabilitates thousands of orphaned and injured animals annually, returning them to the wild.

Salmon Victory - Pesticides Restricted Near Streams

- submitted by Kristina Logsdon from ESW member Washington Toxics Coalition

On January 22, 2004 Judge John Coughenour issued a ruling that restricts the use of 38 pesticides near salmon streams and requires retailers to post warnings that read "Salmon Hazard" on products containing pesticides deemed harmful to salmon.

The ruling followed Judge Coughenour's 2002 decision that found EPA out of compliance with the Endangered Species Act for failing to protect salmon from harmful pesticides. The judge ordered EPA to consult with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to establish permanent restrictions needed to protect salmon from 54 pesticides, over a two-and-a-half year timeline. After the 2002 ruling, environmental and fishing groups, including Earth Share of Washington member Washington Toxics Coalition, supported reducing contamination of salmon streams while EPA and NOAA Fisheries developed permanent restrictions.

The ruling puts in place no-spray buffers of 100 yards for aerial applications and 20 yards for ground applications, with exceptions for certain uses that are unlikely to pollute water. The court order also requires this warning for products containing seven pesticides that have polluted urban salmon streams:

SALMON HAZARD This product contains pesticides that may harm salmon or steelhead. Use of this product in urban areas can pollute salmon streams.

The warnings may be purchased in urban home and garden stores throughout Washington, Oregon, and California.

The interim measures imposed in the court's ruling will protect salmon from these pesticides. The judge found "with reasonable scientific certainty, that the requested buffer zones will, unlike the status quo, substantially contribute to the prevention of jeopardy" to salmon. He further found that the evidence "demonstrate[s] that pesticide-application buffer zones are a common, simple, and effective strategy to avoid jeopardy to threatened and endangered salmonids."

The buffer zones will become effective in early 2004 and will apply to salmon streams that support threatened and endangered salmon throughout the three West Coast states.

White River Cleanup Project Underway

This winter, spring, and into summer, Earth Share of Washington member Friends of the Trail will begin working on a new project funded by a grant from the National Forest Foundation, the Mountaineers Foundation, and REI. A multitude of sites along the Greenwater Road, West Fork Road and Huckleberry Creek contain an abundance of camper generated trash in dispersed campsites along with other garbage ranging from abandoned vehicles, shooting site debris, appliances, and tires. This area is high use and sought after by many recreational users from South King County, Pierce County, and Tacoma.

"Very little maintenance has been performed on this forest land over the years," claims Wade Holden, Executive Director of Friends of the Trail, "and it is in dire need of a good, large-scale, organized clean up. We will be using volunteers as well as community service workers to fulfill our goal of returning this area to its natural state."

Over the last year, Friends of the Trail received numerous requests from concerned citizens for help restoring the White River District. They continue to address problems that no one else wants to tackle.

Executive Director of Earth Share of Washington, William Borden, recounts his first contact with Friends of the Trail; "Before arriving at Earth Share of Washington, I wondered how those dilapidated old cars and discarded refrigerators found in backwoods litter dumps were removed. Then I met Wade and Tania [Holden] and I understood how environmental groups big and small are helping to conserve Washington State. Friends of the Trail is cleaning up sites that are often overlooked by government agencies and larger environmental groups."

Friends of the Trail is looking for White River volunteers. If you are interested, contact Wade Holden at (425) 831-5486 or friendsot@foxinternet.net.

Cool Website - March 2004

TravelMatters Individual Emissions Calculator
www.travelmatters.org/calculator/individual/

The TravelMatters Individual Calculator measures how much greenhouse gas you generate as a result of your daily transportation activity. Simply enter the monthly distances you traveled by mode of transportation - on foot, by bicycle, car, bus, train, plane, or boat - and the calculator will do your "greenhouse gas accounting" for you.

You can save and later access your monthly emissions profile to compare your greenhouse gas emissions over time. Compare your results with friends and co-workers.