I-937 sought to diversity Washington's energy portfolio (hydropower currently produces more than 60% of Washington's electricity) by developing new renewable energy resources that would produce new and sustainable energy, jobs, industries, research, science, investment, and economy here in the State.  During the session there were a number of attempts to modify I-937, with the role of hydropower, and hydro's ability to gather renewable tax credits at the center of this discussion.  Over the past year, river advocates were faced with fighting back a number of amendments to include new dams, dams under 30 MW, dams under 5 MW, and all dams (new and existing).  In the end, neither the House or the Senate could agree on language and the bill died leaving I-937 as Washington law.

Hydropower and Washington's Renewable Energy Goals was produced and distributed by the Coalition's Washington members to offset a number of these pro-dam initiatives.  It briefly explains the legislative intent of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) efforts, as well as documenting the potential risk to rivers and watersheds, options for new hydropower but not new dams, climate change, and hydropower role in balancing wind and solar energy transmissions.

I-937 does include as a renewable efficiency upgrades at existing dams, adding hydro to canals and diversions (where it will not result in new diversions or impoundments) and new hydro technologies such as wave and tidal power.  Including hyropower as a renewable in these instances is supported by the Coalition both in Washington State and in developing Federal RPS legislation.  

Throughout this legislative session, a number of senators and representatives defended the public's original intent for I-937 and stood out a strong advocates of Washington's legacy of rivers. In the lead on river protection was John McCoy, Chair of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.  Without Representative McCoy's leadership, Washington's rivers could now be facing an onslaught of new, small and highly inefficient dam proposals