Bill for tidal energy ebbs and flows in Senate

OLYMPIA — The Senate moved one step closer to establishing a clean and renewable source of energy to power Snohomish County today, passing Senate Bill 6111 sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens. The bill adds tidal and wave energy projects to the list of sales and use tax exemptions for machinery and equipment used in solar, wind and fuel cell energy projects. The legislation also establishes a stakeholder review of tidal and wave energy.

“The Pacific Ocean flows through Deception Pass and slams into Whidbey Island, that’s power. The daily changing of the tides pulls millions of gallons of water through Admiralty Inlet, that’s power. Now we just have to find the proper method to harness this energy,” Hobbs said.

The Snohomish County PUD currently has claims on seven of the most powerful underwater tidal fields in Puget Sound. The utility hopes to harness the power by planting staggered, slow-turning turbines on the ocean floor.

“The voters spoke by adopting I-937, the clean energy initiative, last November. Now it’s the legislature’s responsibility to actively seek out clean and renewable power for the 21st Century and beyond,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs added that seeking energy alternatives from clean and renewable sources can provide the dual benefit of weaning consumers off an addiction to foreign oil while addressing growing climate change concerns voiced by scientists worldwide.

The bill passed on a vote of 45 to 3, and will now proceed to the House for consideration.

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