Energy for the Environment

Renewable energy comes from sun, water, wind, biomass and geothermal sources. These energy sources are called renewable because they are constantly being replenished. Unlike nonrenewable energy sources such as coal, and oil, they will never run out. Renewable resources bring us energy in ways that are cleaner and less damaging to our environment.

Hydropower is the world's leading renewable resource for generating electricity. This clean and affordable source of power continues to be the backbone of a strong Northwest economy, supplying half of our electricity. Hydropower enables the development of the region's wind energy resource, because it can respond immediately to fluctuating energy demand and the intermittent nature of wind.

Other renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power have assumed a part of the energy portfolios of Northwest utilities, including Franklin PUD. But wind energy comes with its challenges. Wind power doesn't pay its own way. Costs for wind power and to integrate wind into the regional power grid are significant drivers of higher rates. And wind is not a "guaranteed, cost-competitive" resource. It is not a base-load resource and relies on hydropower and other forms of power to "back it up". It only generates power about 30% of the time and it's unpredictable when that 30 percent will occur.

Franklin PUD invested in wind power before state mandates were put in place in 2006. At that time wind power was about $56.00 per megawatt hour versus $27 per megawatt hour for hydropower which we purchase from BPA. Today wind power ranges from approximately $100 - $120 MW - 4 times higher than hydropower. It is time to pause to assess how much wind is added to the power grid, thus limiting further degredation of a regional treasure, our renewable hydro system.