Published September 2003

Energy bill needs
to be top priority

By Don Brunell
Guest Editorial

If the massive power outage that plunged 50 million people in the dark from New York City to Detroit isn’t enough to make Congress pass a comprehensive energy bill, what is?

In less than nine seconds, millions were stranded in elevators, on subways and in offices by a power failure that cost the economy an estimated $25 billion. More importantly, it vividly illustrated our dependence on electricity and just how vulnerable we are to power failures.

Interestingly, the reaction from around the world was mixed. Some who experience daily power failures thought it was no big deal, while others look at us in amazement because we’ve known about the problem for years, yet bicker endlessly about solutions.

The fact is, our demand for all types of energy outstrips supply, and our appetite for electricity is insatiable. Twenty years ago, we had a 30-percent surplus of electricity. Demand kept growing, but our capacity didn’t keep pace.

Suddenly in the 1990s, Internet usage exploded and server farms — energy hogs that use as much electricity as a small city — sprouted up in Washington, California and around the country.

The mammoth blackout that struck the Northeast and Upper Midwest in August could become common unless Congress does six things:

• Expedite the siting and construction of new power plants.
• Put power and gas transmission projects on a fast track to be sited and built.
• Encourage drilling for new natural gas and oil.
• Provide greater security for power plants and transmission systems.
• Increase emphasis on alternative power sources such as wind, solar, fuel cells and biomass fuels.
• Encourage conservation.

  Unless we solve our energy problem, our whole economy and way of life will be at risk. Congress must stop its partisan bickering and make the energy bill — and our nation’s economic future — their top priority.

  Don Brunell is president of the Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s chamber of commerce. Visit AWB on the Web at www.awb.org.

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