Title
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Green Direct Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a recommendation to enter into a long-term contract with PSE to purchase renewable energy though the Green Direct Program, and forward to Council for consideration.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend entering into a long-term contract with PSE to purchase renewable energy through PSE's Green Direct Program.
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753.8495
Presenter(s):
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director
Tom MacLean, PSE (available for questions)
Background and Analysis:
Since 2006, the City of Olympia has purchased "green power" from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to offset 100 percent of the electricity consumed by the City's water related utilities. This green power, otherwise known as renewable energy credits (RECs), represents the environmental attributes of renewable energy. These RECs are sold separately from the electricity and are purchased by people or organizations wanting to support developing renewable sources of energy.
In 2016, the City made a one-time, bulk purchase of RECs from PSE that was sufficient to offset 100 percent of its electricity use city-wide. This one-time, low cost option was no longer available in 2017.
Representatives from Puget Sound Energy recently approached the City about a new "Green Direct" program beginning in 2019. This new program offers large customers the opportunity to directly purchase renewable energy (both electricity and RECs). PSE indicated that if there is sufficient interest in this new program, a new wind power project would move forward in the south Thurston County area. Under this program, the City could clearly say that all of its power is coming from renewable energy sources.
At this time, PSE has commitments to support 75 percent of the project cost to proceed. PSE is selling only a limite...
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