The Issaquah School District recently announced that it is joining the Green Direct program of Puget Sound Energy (PSE), putting it on the path to using power sources that are sustainable.
The PSE Green Direct program allows those who participate in it to purchase energy from renewable local sources. When the program launched in 2018, Issaquah was the only school district to join, out of 38 organizations.
PSE won approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to increase its program capacity, so that more organizations could join. This increase allowed the school district to sign up. Other organizations that have joined the effort include Sound Transit, the University of Washington Bothell, and the City of Issaquah.
PSE has plans to construct a solar power plant that could be up and running by 2021. The plant would be located in the south-central part of the state.
Chris Bruno, the resource conservation manager for the school district, noted that joining the program will enable the district to forecast its electricity costs, since PSE has already established the amount it will charge per kilowatt hour, and that price will be in effect for the program's first ten years. Measures like this are important, so district officials tend to use services like flyer printing to inform residents.
Ron Thiele, the district superintendent, said by participating in PSE's program, the district is setting an example for students about choosing programs that protect the environment, and practice responsible use of resources.
