WSR 01-17-090

PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR


[ August 17, 2001 ]

WHEREAS: An Energy Supply Alert was proclaimed on January 26, 2001 and extended for sixty days on April 26, 2001, and June 22, 2001, due to several continuing factors, which include low precipitation to feed hydropower, shut down of electrical power generating plants in California for unscheduled maintenance or repair, the failure of California's attempt to restructure the regulation of electricity, increased competition for natural gas supplies, and unprecedented high wholesale electrical power rates throughout the western United States; and


WHEREAS: The Bonneville Power Administration and private electrical power generating companies and utilities in Washington are undertaking extraordinary measures to mitigate the electricity shortage and its impacts by conserving electricity, minimizing spill, using electricity reserves by drawing down reservoirs beyond normal, raising prices, and undertaking other measures.


WHEREAS: Despite recent decreases in wholesale power prices, utilities continue to face financial uncertainty, and could continue to alleviate their problems with strong conservation measures, temporary generation, and use of alternative fuels. Several large businesses continue to be idled due to the cost of electricity, and hundreds of people remain out of work. Public facilities have ceased operations due to inability to pay current and projected power expenses. Conservation efforts by government agencies have been quite successful, but insufficient to solve the problem alone.


WHEREAS: Without action now in the face of potential winter shortages, citizens of Washington, beginning with vulnerable people of limited means, may be unable to obtain or afford power for basic heating, lighting and cooking needs, threatening their health, safety and general welfare.


WHEREAS: Vital public services remain at risk, and immediate steps must be taken to alleviate social and economic impacts to people and property. We must take all steps necessary to avoid jeopardizing the public health, safety and general welfare while doing everything possible to minimize the impact on fish and our environment.


NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, find that vital public services, particularly affordable electrical power, remain at risk, and there continues to exist a situation that threatens to disrupt or diminish the supply of energy to the extent that the public health, safety, and general welfare may be jeopardized; and therefore find that an energy supply alert continues to exist within this state. I have obtained the prior approval of the joint committee on energy supply, and with that approval hereby extend for an additional sixty days, commencing August 24, 2001, through October 22, 2001, the state of energy supply alert proclaimed under Chapters 43.06 and 43.21G RCW on January 26, 2001, and subsequently extended through August 23, 2001. I further direct all state and local governmental agencies to fully comply with all orders that may accompany this proclamation or that may be issued pursuant to this proclamation as deemed necessary to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize, to the fullest extent possible, the injurious economic, social, and environmental consequences of this energy supply crisis. This proclamation applies statewide.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the state of Washington to be affixed at Olympia, this 17th day of August, A.D., Two Thousand one.
Gary Locke


Governor of Washington


BY THE GOVERNOR:


Stephen Excell


Assistant Secretary of State

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