Effective energy policies

As we see temperature changes here in Spokane, our City Council has decided to focus on reducing our options for power. This seems counterintuitive.

By seeking to remove natural gas from future construction, they’re simply ignoring a practical reality for a political goal. In case you don’t recall, we had blackouts in Spokane last summer as local providers failed to meet the exploding demand. We need as many sources of power as possible, regardless of whatever costly and ill-intentioned policies are being discussed at the federal level.

The City Council’s approach could jeopardize lives in extreme heat or cold. This trend is alarming. Many Western states are having difficulties creating effective energy policies. Colorado, Oregon and others are studying a Regional Transmission Organization which will drive competition and offer choices to the individual. We should watch the outcomes in these states closely and consider following their lead.

U.S. Rep McMorris Rodgers has been outspoken in her call for an “all of the above” approach to our energy future. I think she’s right. It is paramount to ensure that Spokanites are not forced to pay exorbitant sums of money simply to heat and cool their homes. With rising inflation decimating the pocketbooks of families across the country, it would be foolish to implement politically-motivated energy policies that would serve only to hurt the people of Spokane.

This problem is not going away anytime soon, and we need every option available to meet the demands presented by fluctuating temperatures.

James B. Wellcome

Spokane