Tag Archives: renewable energy

Hawkins receives statewide PUD award for hydropower advocacy

The Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) has recognized Sen. Brad Hawkins for his efforts and legislative leadership for PUDs throughout the state by presenting him with its 2019 Legislative Champion Award during the association’s Annual Conference Banquet at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver last night.

“I am beyond excited to receive this award and am so thankful for the support of our public utility districts statewide,” Hawkins said. “Receiving this award is so meaningful to me, given the proud history and incredible contributions of PUDs in our area. I’m proud to be an advocate for them and the customers they serve.”

The award recognizes a member of the Washington State Legislature or Congress for leadership in pursuing passage of legislation beneficial to PUDs. In the award letter from WPUDA, Executive Director George Caan wrote: “This award recognizes your strong commitment to advocating in the 2019 legislative session for policies that enhance the ability of public utility districts to serve the needs of their communities. Your leadership as prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5588, your quick introduction to add hydropower as a qualifying renewable resource in the 100% clean energy bill, and your dedication to pursuing tax parity for hydropower as the prime sponsor and staunch advocate of Senate Bill 6012 was instrumental in paving the way for good policy that supports the foundational principles on which PUDs were created.”

“During the 2019 legislative session Senator Hawkins demonstrated a commitment to advancing good public policy that supports the ability of Washington’s public utility districts to meet the needs of the communities they serve. His work is truly deserving of the WPUDA 2019 Legislative Champion Award.” – George Caan, Executive Director of the Washington PUD Association

“Senator Hawkins is a great friend to public power and Washington state’s PUDs, as well as a skilled and trusted advocate for his 12^th District constituents. He understands the complex issues we face and the value of hydropower in helping to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining reliable service and reasonable electric rates. On behalf of Chelan PUD’s Board of Commissioners and our staff and customer-owners, congratulations to Senator Hawkins.” – Steve Wright, General Manager, Chelan County PUD

“Senator Hawkins is a champion of public power! He really deserves this award. He is always looking out for his constituents and definitely has an impact in the communities he serves. We appreciate Senator Hawkins’ leadership and relentless effort to get our renewable hydrogen bill through the Legislature. Thank you and congratulations Senator Hawkins!” – Gary Ivory, General Manager, Douglas County PUD

Governor signs Hawkins’ bill allowing PUD production and sale of renewable hydrogen

Gov. Jay Inslee today signed the bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins that provides authority to the Douglas County PUD and other Washington PUDs to produce and sell a new type of clean energy. Attendees of today’s bill signing included officials from public utility districts across the state, company representatives from Toyota, members of the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance, and key legislators who supported Hawkins’ bill.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 authorizes PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. It also defines “renewable hydrogen” in statute as “hydrogen produced using renewable resources both as the source of the hydrogen and the source for the energy input into the production process.” The House of Representatives passed it 97-0 earlier this month after the Senate approved it 47-0 in February.

“This new law will allow our hydropower utilities to lead our state in another form of clean energy – renewable hydrogen,” said Hawkins. “Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this law will allow them to continue their positive and innovative work.”

The Douglas County PUD, which requested the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

“In the springtime, our hydro utilities have been experiencing difficulties when flows are high on the Columbia River and Northwest wind and solar facilities generate large amounts of power,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and generating additional electricity in times of oversupply can hurt us economically. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen using its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill opens the door to making that possible.”

The bipartisan legislation has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Company representatives bring Toyota Mirai to the state Capitol for demonstrations

Soon after the SSB 5588 bill-signing ceremony was completed, Hawkins, Inslee, and other legislators joined PUD representatives and other clean energy advocates for a hydrogen-vehicle demonstration outside the Capitol Building. Company representatives from Toyota were on hand with their Toyota Mirai, a fuel cell electric vehicle powered by hydrogen. Other legislators, legislative staff, and PUD commissioners were able to test drive the Mirai on the state Capitol Campus throughout the day.

Legislature approves Hawkins’ bill allowing PUD production and sale of renewable hydrogen

The Legislature has approved a bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins that would give authority to the Douglas County Public Utility District and other PUDs in Washington to produce and sell a new type of clean energy.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 would authorize PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. The House of Representatives today voted 97-0 to pass the proposal. The Senate had approved it 47-0 in February. The proposal now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for final consideration.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for PUDs to produce and sell renewable hydrogen,” said Hawkins. “Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this bill would allow them to continue to lead with another form of clean energy. Renewable hydrogen can be used as a transportation fuel as well as for other purposes.” Hawkins noted that Toyota is among numerous stakeholders interested in the bill, and the Washington PUD Association supports Hawkins’ legislation.

The Douglas County PUD, which asked Hawkins to sponsor the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

Officials with the Douglas County PUD and Renewable Hydrogen Alliance testified in favor of the bill during its March 14 public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee.

“Our hydro utilities have experienced difficulties in the springtime when flows are high on the Columbia River and when wind and solar generation are significant in the Pacific Northwest,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and generating additional electricity in times of oversupply can impact us economically because we are the owners of the dams. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen using its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill would help make that possible.”

The bipartisan bill has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

Hawkins’ renewable hydrogen bill among the first bills approved by Senate

The Douglas County Public Utility District and other PUDs in Washington could soon have the authority to produce and sell a new type of clean energy under a Senate-approved bill introduced by 12th District state Sen. Brad Hawkins.

Substitute Senate Bill 5588 would authorize PUDs to produce, distribute and sell renewable hydrogen. The Senate voted 47-0 today to approve it. The proposal now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration and is among the first Senate bills available for House consideration this session.

“Our PUDs have been leaders in clean energy for decades, and this bill would allow them to continue to lead with another form of clean energy,” said Hawkins. “Renewable hydrogen can be used as a transportation fuel as well as for other purposes.” Hawkins noted that Toyota is among numerous stakeholders interested in the bill.

Douglas PUD, which asked Hawkins to sponsor the bill, plans to use electrolysis to separate hydrogen molecules from oxygen molecules in water to produce renewable hydrogen. Renewable hydrogen does not produce carbon emissions when it is produced or consumed.

Officials with Douglas PUD and the Washington Public Utility Districts Association testified in favor of the bill during its public hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee Feb. 6.

“Our hydro utilities have experienced difficulties in the springtime when flows are high on the Columbia River and when wind generation is significant throughout the Pacific Northwest,” said Hawkins. “Spilling excess water over our dams can adversely impact fish, and selling power below cost can impact us economically because we are the owners of the dams. Douglas PUD hopes to create hydrogen from its surplus electricity and then sell it. This bill would help make that possible.”

The bipartisan bill has 32 co-sponsors, including 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans.

“I’m honored to have such strong bipartisan support behind this proposal,” said Hawkins. “I hope the House gives it the same strong approval that the Senate did today.”