Title
Approval of Proposed Opinion Editorial to Urge Puget Sound Energy to Re-Think its Investment in Coal Generated Power
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the opinion editorial urging Puget Sound Energy to continue leading the way on clean energy and climate change mitigation by re-thinking its current reliance on coal power.
Report
Issue:
Shall Olympia join Bellingham, Mercer Island and other Washington cities in urging Puget Sound Energy to reexamine its future commitment to coal generated power in an Op Ed written for publication in the Seattle Times?
Staff Contact:
Steve Hall, City Manager, Executive Department, 360.753.8447
Presenter(s):
None. Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
At the September 9, 2014 Council meeting, Sierra Club representative Doug Howell asked the Council to consider joining the proposed opinion editorial as a step toward supporting efforts to strongly encourage Puget Sound Energy to move away from coal power.
Following Council consensus, Mayor Buxbaum agreed to add the topic to the September 23 Consent Agenda for potential action. The Op Ed that has been approved by the cities of Bainbridge Island, Mercer Island and Bellingham is attached for final review and approval and will be sent to the Seattle Times as soon as possible after the Olympia City Council's approval.