I'm collecting signatures for Initiative 937, the Energy Security Initiative.

After reviewing the full text of Initiative 937, an initiative to push development and deployment of renewable energy sources over the next 14 years, I've decided to collect signatures on its behalf. I have a few reservations about it - mostly philosophical - but I think that the overall initiative is sound. It works on a basis of staged targets and creates a renewable-energy-points market, very similar to pollution credit markets which have worked well in the past. While I typically prefer to avoid mandates - even very flexible mandates - I think the impending necessity to develop new energy sources overrides those concerns on my part.

The best single thing about this initiative from my standpoint is that it will make the inevitable problems with new renewable energy technologies get worked out sooner, rather than later, which should come in very handy in the not-too-very-distant future.

The "yes" campaign's website is here. The only "no" voice I've heard has been one of the two Spokane utilities, which fears it will result in rate hikes; the other Spokane utility is neutral.

It's not a perfect initiative, but it's a good start. Anyone wishing to sign my copy, please let me know. You MUST be a registered voter in the State of Washington to sign.