SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Northwest utilities are on a quest for renewable energy. Wind turbines are sprouting around the region. Dams are being upgraded. And utilities are buying renewable energy credits.
The Spokesman Review reports that on Jan. 1, the 17 largest electricity providers in Washington are required to meet the first goal of sweeping renewable-energy rules approved by voters in 2006. As of next year, 3 percent of the energy those companies supply their customers must be from renewable sources built after March 1, 1999.
The standard increases to 9 percent in 2016 and 15 percent in 2020.
An energy analyst with the state Department of Commerce says all 17 utilities are on track to comply.
