Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › PLANNING › Energy Resources › Renewable Energy - Green Power
Updated 03/09

Renewable Energy - Green Power

The Northwest Power Planning Council's prediction of an increasing possibility of power supply problems during the next few years and the region's recent experience with unprecedented high prices in the western power markets has focused attention again on the development of alternative energy sources and on conservation and energy efficiency. The current market prices for electricity are making investments in renewable resources more economically viable than in the past when renewable resources were significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. From Final Bill Report EHB 2247, 2001.

Contents

What is Renewable Energy?

What is Green Power?

  • Green Power Defined -  EPA - Green power is a subset of renewable energy and represents those renewable energy resources and technologies that provide the highest environmental benefit. EPA defines green power as electricity produced from solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources. Customers often buy green power for avoided environmental impacts and its greenhouse gas reduction benefits. 
  • Green Power Partnership - EPA
  • Green Power Network - U.S. Department of Energy EERE
  • Clean Energy - Union of Concerned Scientists

State Policy on Renewable Energy Facilities

  • Washington's Energy Policy
  • Ch 214, Laws of 2001 gave the Energy Facilities Site Evaluation Council the ability to receive and review applications from facilities that propose to use alternative energy resources.
  • RCW 80.50.060 (2) - Energy facilities to which chapter applies - Applications for certification - Forms - Information 
  • RCW 80.50.020 (17)- Definitions - "Alternative energy resource" means: (a) Wind; (b) solar energy; (c) geothermal energy; (d) landfill gas; (e) wave or tidal action; or (f) biomass energy based on solid organic fuels from wood, forest, or field residues, or dedicated energy crops that do not include wood pieces that have been treated with chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or copper-chrome-arsenic.
  • RCW 19.29A.020 - Voluntary option to purchase qualified alternative energy resources

Local Government Policies and Renewable Energy Programs

Land Use Planning and Zoning for Alternative Energy Facilities

See also  Zoning and Subdivison Provisions for Solar Energy

Power Suppliers Using Alternative Energy Sources

Information Resources