A solar bill, HB 1048/SB 5499, is being introduced this year and is a cost-effective way for Washington to increase its solar power. In this bill, every dollar Washington spends on solar incentives will generate $16 to $20 of local economic activity, according to research by Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research. This includes solar manufacturing, installing, tax dollars saved through the federal solar tax credit, and more.
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council, a utility industry group, finds that “according to the Council’s conservative estimate, by 2035 we could keep $2 billion per year in the region, mainly by reducing the amount of gasoline purchased from producers outside the region.” Overall, the cost of the new solar program would represent only 1/20th of a percent of the state budget.
The bill will also reduce health care costs significantly. Studies show that fossil fuels cost us between $361.7 billion and $886.5 billion each year in health care bills, up to 6 percent of our country’s GDP.
Solar power lets homeowners own their electricity. Over the 25-year lifetime of a residential solar system, homeowners can save $10,000 to $50,000 in utility bills. Currently, 18 percent of Washington’s energy comes from coal, natural gas or nuclear. Call your state senators and representatives now to support this bill. They need to hear your support. Let’s make democracy work for us.
