A coalition of power conservation and efficiency groups is hoping to put an energy ballot initiative before Washington voters next November.

Dubbed the “Energy Independence Initiative” by its authors, the measure would require the state’s larger utilities to produce 15 percent of their electricity load from non-hydro renewable energy sources by 2020. Eligible sources of renewable energy would include biomass, wind and solar power, according to the Seattle-based Northwest Energy Coalition, which is spearheading the initiative effort.

The initiative would also require utilities to undertake “cost-effective” energy efficiency efforts. The efficiency yardstick for many utilities would be the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fifth Power Plan, which sets a regional conservation goal of 700 average megawatts (aMW) during the next five years and 2,500 aMW during the next 20 years.

“The clean, affordable energy future is in our grasp now,” said Sara Patton, executive director of the Northwest Energy Coalition, a clean-energy advocate for environmental, business and labor groups. “It’s good for the economy because these fuel sources are built here, and they aren’t subject to price shocks.”

The initiative is also designed to help deter utilities from using coal-fired power plants to produce a greater share of the state’s electricity, Patton contends. A 1,200 MW coal-fired power plant in Centralia, as well as coal-fired plants in neighboring states, provide about 18 percent of Washington’s current electricity needs.

Energy companies, however, are looking to build new power plants throughout the region. In October, Energy Northwest’s board approved a 50-year lease for 80 acres of Port of Kalama property on which the organization proposes to build a 600 MW coal-gasification complex.

“I feel coal breathing down my neck,” Patton said. “It’s not sustainable.”

The ballot initiative, which would exempt utilities with fewer than 25,000 customers, would mark the first time an energy portfolio standard were put directly before Washington voters.

During the past five sessions of the Washington Legislature, lawmakers in one or both chambers have rejected bills that would require renewable energy and/or efficiency standards for the state’s utilities. Many of the state’s large public utilities and rural electricity cooperatives opposed the legislation, contending utilities should maintain local authority to impose standards, said Tony Usibelli, director of Washington’s Energy Policy Division. Utilities also balked at potentially having to supplant some of their hydroelectric electricity with more expensive renewable energy bought on the open market. A key reason for Washington’s comparatively low consumer electricity costs is the region’s abundance of hydroelectric resources.

“You are raising the cost of energy — there’s no question about it,” said Dave Warren, government relations director for the Washington Public Utilities Districts Association, which lobbies lawmakers on behalf of 28 nonprofit, community-owned utilities.

Warren, as well as officials from the Washington Rural Electric Cooperative Association, declined to comment on any potential ballot initiative until they see its language.

Backers of a potential energy initiative, which include the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council, Washington Public Interest Group and Sierra Club, will decide by January whether to move forward with the measure, Patton said. They would then have until July to gather enough voter signatures in order to put the initiative on the Nov. 7 ballot.

To date, 27 states and Washington, D.C., have efficiency and/or renewable energy standards. In 2004, Colorado became the first and only state to pass a renewable portfolio standard by ballot initiative.

There are compelling arguments both for and against the initiative in Washington, contends Richard Young, a Seattle University associate professor of history, political science and environmental studies.

“Polls show enormous support for environmental protection, but people also don’t like paying higher prices for energy,” he said.

Washington’s blue-state status, as well as voter disenchantment with President Bush’s position on global warming and handling of Hurricane Katrina could help the initiative, Young said. However, energy companies could erode support for the initiative by contending that it would result in higher electricity prices for residents. 

“This would be an issue decided by a campaign, if the initiative were to reach the ballot,” Young added.