PSE was coaxed to move away from coal power

Your March 21 editorial headline (“PSE gingerly steps toward future with less coal”) implies a utility cautiously but of its own volition moving toward setting a retirement date for two coal-fired power plants it co-owns in Montana, as if it were a swimmer unsure of the temperature of the water but finally deciding it’s safe to stick a toe in.

The editorial goes on to suggest Puget Sound Energy “deserves credit” for moving away from highly polluting sources of energy.

The reality is far different. PSE has resisted the inevitable for years, determined to keep polluting air, water, and soil and contributing vast amounts of carbon to our shared atmosphere. They aren’t stepping gingerly; they have been pushed, pulled, and dragged into making these long overdue changes.

Given PSE’s track record of stubborn intransigence, it will no doubt take continued vigilance by the Utilities and Transportation Commission as well as relentless pressure from ratepayers and continued litigation to make sure the utility develops a reasonable closure plan with a short time frame. Let’s hold off on awarding credit until we see the plan and the date.

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 1:26 PM with the headline "PSE was coaxed to move away from coal power."