In 2008, Vashon-Maury residents and businesses consumed approximately $9 million of electricity (100,000 MWh), at least 36% of which is supplied by coal. Our Energy Brainiacs are still crunching the numbers, to help us clarify the goals and milestones. But the below should give you an idea of what many are hoping for.

As of November 2009, PSE’s Green Power program has 553 participants from Vashon-Maury, up almost 30% from 428 participants in June 2008. However, only 7.5% of Vashon-Maury customers are participating and these contributions represent less than 5% of kilowatt hours consumed on the island. Palo Alto has the highest participation rate in the
country at 20%, and Whidbey Island just doubled their participation in the PSE Green Power challenge campaign (winning them a $25k grant for a local solar project).

We have approximately 4,200 households on Vashon-Maury. If WisEnergy can meet their goal of 200 per year that would be nearly 1/4 of island households by 2015. Some households may be able to conserve as much as 50% through weatherization, etc. Newer houses likely won’t gain as much. So if 1/4 of island homes save conserve an average of 25%, we’d potentially net 6% for the island as a whole. If an additional 33% reduced consumption by 10%, we’d have a an island net reduction total
of 9%.

No matter how hard we try, not every house will join the Green Energy program, and only a small percentage will install solar panels. But if we are to reduce our demand by 36% of current use, we need to supplement that with significant gains in enrollment in the Green Energy program. 27% participation at the 100% level would make us both the nation’s leader – as well as legitimately claim to truly be a Coal Free Zone!

Goals Reviewed:

1. 1000 homes weatherized with 25% average conservation
2. Additional 33% households realizing an average of 10% savings
   through conservation
3. Growth from net of 5% power from Green Energy Program to 27%
   enrollment at 100% level, i.e. 1,134 households (Increase enrollment by
   equivalent of 185 households at 100% per year )
4. The above must be augmented by community solar, private solar
   arrays, and other creative energy generation projects.

The Backbone Campaign and our friends at Sustainable Vashon are not interested in waiting for “Change we can believe in” coming from DC, Copenhagen, or anywhere else. It is up to us to manifest change, and we are up for the challenge. Join us!

Additional PSE Related Resources:
href="http://www.pse.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/rates/summ_elec_prices_2009_10_01.pdf">http://www.pse.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/rates/summ_elec_prices_2009_10_01.pdf
href="http://www.pse.com/community/yourneighborhood/pages/VashonIslandCustomerServiceOffice.aspx?tab=1&chapter=1">http://www.pse.com/community/yourneighborhood/pages/VashonIslandCustomerServiceOffice.aspx?tab=1&chapter=1
href="http://www.pse.com/energyEnvironment/energysupply/Pages/EnergySupply-Electricity-PowerSupplyProfile.aspx">http://www.pse.com/energyEnvironment/energysupply/Pages/EnergySupply-Electricity-PowerSupplyProfile.aspx
Green Power Challenge on Whidbey

Sightline article: A Lump of Coal in Your Outlet
Neat program that Seattle is launching with OPower