Councilman Mark Stremler
Stremler proposes energy choice to Whatcom County Council
In an effort to have the Whatcom County Council get behind the effort to have “energy choice” Councilman Mark Stremler introduced a resolution which supports energy choices for residents and business owners in Whatcom County. The County Council had a hearing on June 18th to consider the proposal.
Presented near the end of the June 18th meeting (page 6 of 7 on the Agenda) the Council Considered the following:
The Council heard testimony from residents and businesses about the importance of energy choice and the negative impacts of a natural gas ban accelerated by the Legislature’s passage of HB1589. The bottom line is clear: a natural gas ban will shut down restaurants, industry, emergency services, and kill any chance of affordable housing.
Unfortunately, Councilmember Stremler’s proposed Resolution AB2024-401, which affirmed energy choice and condemned a natural gas ban, failed to pass at this week’s council meeting on a 3-4 vote. Councilmembers Byrd, Elenbaas, and Stremler voted in favor of the resolution, while Buchanan, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon voted nay.
FULL TEXT OF RESOLUTION BELOW:
Proposed Resolution by Councilman Mark Stremler
PROPOSED BY: STREMLER
INTRODUCTION DATE: JUNE 4, 2024
RESOLUTION NO.
SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE ENERGY CHOICES FOR WHATCOM COUNTY
- WHEREAS, during the 2024 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed
- Engrossed Substitute Bill (ESHB) 1589; and
- WHEREAS, on March 28, 2024, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed ESHB 1589 into
- law; and
- WHEREAS, according to the bill report, ESHB mandates, among other requirements, that
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE) file an integrated system plan (ISP) with the Utilities and
- Transportation Commission (UTC) that consolidates PSE’s planning requirements for both gas and
- electric operations into a single ISP; and
- WHEREAS, transitioning homes and businesses from natural gas to electric service can be
- very costly for homeowners and business owners thus drastically affecting affordability; and
- WHEREAS, according to the Building Industry Association of Washington, the cost to
- convert a home currently served by natural gas to electric is approximately $40,000; and
- WHEREAS, the costs to upgrade the current electrical system will be borne by rate
- payers, rather than PSE; and
- WHEREAS, combining natural gas and electric service will result in expensive upgrades
- for individual homeowners as well as system improvements which will further burden customers;
- and
- WHEREAS, the provisions of ESHB 1589 do not give any predictability with regard to
- timeline or costs for customers subject to the transition from natural gas to electric service; and
- WHEREAS, a June 2023 Pew Research Center survey of S. adults found that 68%
- thought the S. should use a mix of energy sources including oil, coal, and natural gas along
- with renewable sources, while only 31% said the S. should phase out the use of oil, coal, and
- natural gas completely, relying instead on renewable sources; and
- WHEREAS, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the federal Energy Policy and
- Conservation Act (“EPCA”), which prohibits natural gas infrastructure, expressly preempts state
- and local regulations concerning energy use of natural gas appliances; and
- WHEREAS, government regulations have impacts on the costs and ultimately the
- affordability of housing; and
- WHEREAS, Whatcom County’s 2022-2026 Comprehensive Economic Development
- Strategy (CEDS) identifies housing availability and affordability as high priority issue affecting
- Whatcom County’s ability to grow economically; and
- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council does hereby
- support energy choices for residents and business owners in Whatcom County; and
- NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council
- respectfully requests the Washington State Legislature to consider the harmful impacts of ESHB
- 1589 on PSE customers throughout the Puget Sound; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council urges
the Legislature to revise state law in the 2025 legislative session regarding transitioning from
natural gas to electric utilities, to protect the financial security of residents and businesses.
APPROVED this day of , 2024.
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Dana Brown-Davis, Clerk of the Council Barry Buchanan, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
- George Roche (email 5/28/2024/ch)
- Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Without a backup heat source, such as a fireplace that puts more pollution in the air, a couple of days of below freezing temps along with a likely electrical outage would make scores of houses unlivable.
They will flood and be damaged when the water starts flowing again.
It’s wrong to deny residents of Washington their freedom of choosing their energy source. Also, the state infrastructure cannot provide residents and businesses with the electricity needed if they were to make the switch. Having energy options is always a good idea.
We have gas connections to this house and like using it. No way does the government gave the right to remove our choice.
I am not changing. My first home was all electric.Was expensive and not comfortable heat. Natural gas was the best, cost wise and comfortable. Love not having power lines and poles to come down!
Mark Stremlerproped resolution is good, sound commonsense for the residents that presently use and have nat. gas appliances. The cost replace and convert systems to electrical heating/cooling and cooking equipment would be too costly for the average wage earner and retired persons . I applaud this resolution. Thank you Mark Stremler.
God put oil, natural gas and in the ground for a reason, and enough for us to use, being a good steward of this resource is a responsibility we all have..there must be a balance all this save the nature stuff.