Gov. Gary Locke yesterday announced deals that will eventually increase energy generation in the state by about 1,100 megawatts, enough to power the city of Seattle, but he acknowledged it may not be enough to avoid blackouts or mandatory conservation.
Conservation is critical.
Locke's main announcement was that Chehalis Power Ltd. signed an agreement with the state to build a 520-megawatt plant in Chehalis. Construction on the plant will begin in May, and the plant should start operating in November 2003, said Kevin Finan, business development manager of the parent company, Belgium-based Tractabel Power. There's no guarantee the plant will sell power in Washington. What will have an immediate effect in Washington are two other deals announced earlier, but also covered by Locke yesterday. Usually, the plant only operates 500 hours a year because of environmental concerns.