SEATTLE -- Seattle City Light and the Oregon-based Climate Trust have formed a unique partnership to fight global warming by funding projects that offset greenhouse gas emissions from new Northwest power plants. This week, the organizations issued a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) for greenhouse gas “mitigation” projects from the Northwest and around the world. The RFP is on the web at www.climatetrust.org and initial proposals are due April 10.High electricity prices and low rainfall in the Northwest this year could mean that more utilities will consider natural-gas-fueled combustion turbines to augment traditional hydroelectric power. But combustion turbines, while relatively clean burning, still emit carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
The partnership between City Light and The Climate Trust grew out of commitments in Seattle and Oregon. Oregon law requires that all new power plants partially mitigate their greenhouse gases. The Climate Trust, a nonprofit organization in Portland, Ore., was formed to help manage the mitigation efforts from new Oregon power plants. The City of Seattle will fully mitigate all greenhouse gases from its purchase of power from the new Klamath Falls natural gas turbine that is expected to begin producing power this summer.
“This is a natural partnership,” said City Light Superintendent Gary Zarker. “Both organizations are committed to making sure our power supplies are environmentally responsible.”
Through the Earth Day resolution passed last year, Seattle further committed City Light to mitigate all of its greenhouse gases associated with its energy production. The RFP released this week is the first of an on-going commitment to produce clean power. The RFP also notes that the City of Seattle has a preference for local and regional projects.
“We are pleased that our City is actively part of the global warming solution,” said City Council Member Heidi Wills. “We hope we see lots of interest and project proposals from Seattle and the region.”
For more information, contact Doug Howell by phone at 206.684.3853 or emai at doug.howell@ci.seattle.wa.us.
