Energy, education, meth among issues discussed during Tuesday forum

OLYMPIA — Rising energy costs in the past year could lead to a legislative agenda aimed at creating a more energy independent Washington.

Legislators from both parties are hoping to increase a demand for alternative fuels, with incentives and tax breaks proposed for ethanol and biodiesel producers.

Energy was one of many issues discussed at a legislative preview forum with reporters and legislators Tuesday at the Capitol, and also included issues like anti-methamphetamine legislation and education alternatives.

The coming 60-day session is one leaders of both parties are saying will be a bi-partisan one on most issues. Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, opened the session by touting progress in the last session and predicting an ambitious agenda for 2006.

"This session will essentially be continuing in those lines," Brown said Tuesday.

But energy could be the most bi-partisan of those agenda items, with Rep. Erik Poulsen calling the biodiesel and energy agenda the "feel good hit" of the coming session.

Poulsen, D-Seattle, is chairman of the Senate Water Energy and Environment committee and talked about creating incentives for alternative energy like biodiesel, and assistance on energy to low-income residents.

Poulsen referred to the success of legislation concerning wind and solar energy generation in the last three years, and argued in favor of the need for energy independence at the national level. By increasing demands for alternative energy methods, Poulsen said legislators are hoping to bring biodiesel and ethanol from the fringe to the mainstream.

Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, is the ranking minority member of the Senate Water Energy and Environment Committee and proposed tax breaks on biodiesel and ethanol production and also property tax breaks on land that produces the fuel.

Morton highlighted the 200 percent increase in the price of home heating oil in his district in the last two years as a cost he said has been tough on residents, and argued for addressing energy needs early in the session.

Democrats, too, said there needs to be low-income energy assistance. House Democrats are moving forward with a plan that would follow up the energy package passed three years ago, with proposals Rep. Jeff Morris said would make it possible to sell into to the biofuels market.

Morris, D-Anacortes, argued that if the state were to give tax breaks, they should further biofuel production rather than lower property taxes.

Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Bellingham, said the state needs to create an environment for entrepreneurs to thrive and survive, and also addressed the problems of low-income residents impacted by high electricity and propane costs.

Ericksen argued the state needs to provide incentives for both private industry and government conservation districts, and said Democratic proposals only benefited conservation districts.

Energy discussions focused on water storage, and Ericksen's proposal to create incentives to get older vehicles off the road.

House and Senate leaders touched briefly on energy during discussions about budget spending, health care and education.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, mentioned the 35 million gallons of diesel fuel used by Washington state ferries each year, and suggested farmers could replace some of that amount with biodiesel.

In general, incoming Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt said he wants to a bigger push for agenda items benefiting all farmers in the state, from water storage to agricultural research to energy.

"Agribusiness is still the number one industry in the state of Washington," Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, said.

Other issues also highlighted the forums. Leaders have found common ground on issues like exploring alternatives for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, anti-methamphetamine legislation and strengthened sex offender legislation.

But legislators differed on spending, with Hewitt and Republicans arguing in favor of a stronger spending cap. Republicans and Democrats are also on opposite ends of House Bill 1515, a Democratic proposal that would expand nondiscrimination laws to include sexual orientation.

In addition to forums with leaders and on energy, reporters also met with Attorney General Rob McKenna about his proposed shield law to protect reporters and their sources.

Gov. Christine Gregoire had been scheduled to speak at the forum, but her postponed arrival led to cancellation of her remarks.