Energy independence: What are we waiting for?

President Bush says “America is addicted to oil.” In his State of the Union address, he said we must break this dependence.

Pundits compared this to Nixon going to China: “Texas oilman calls for ending petroleum addiction.”

This comparison is a bit of stretch. Until we hear more specifics, it’s more like Nixon going to a Chinese restaurant. But it’s clearly a step in the right direction.

His most intriguing proposal was to make advanced ethanol (using plant waste for fuel) “practical and cost-effective within six years.” This technology may first take hold in the Northwest, using wheat straw as the feedstock. Smart state policy can position Washington as a powerhouse in this new, extremely promising industry.

In Olympia, policies to support development of domestic biofuel industries enjoy bipartisan support. The most effective of these proposals is a renewable fuel standard that would build a stable, growing market for biofuels in Washington.

The biofuel standard will cost taxpayers next to nothing, but it will send a clear signal that Washington is open for biofuel business. Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Rep. Janea Holmquist (R-Moses Lake) are providing strong leadership for the bill.

This bipartisan support for energy independence reflects a powerful consensus in our nation. Nobody wants to keep getting whacked by the costs of fossil fuel dependence – the military casualties, the economic hemorrhaging, the disruption of our climate. Nobody wants to just stand by and wait for the next oil price shock.

Still, the forces of business as usual in Olympia are resisting the energy independence effort. Their message: “Slow down.”

How much slower could we go? Does anyone seriously think we are moving too quickly to reduce our petroleum addiction?

It’s been almost 30 years since the economically punishing oil shocks of the 1970s, and we’re more dependent on oil than ever. Oil industry analysts warn that the days of cheap oil are over, and price spikes are inevitable. Like any addiction, the picture doesn’t get prettier if we just ignore it longer.

The energy independence bill in Olympia is a concrete, effective step we can take right now. It would take effect in 2008 and deliver about 2 percent of our fuel supply from renewable sources. The percentage would grow to 5 percent for biodiesel and 10 percent for ethanol over time, but only as the industry proves that it delivers economic benefits to Washington and protects air quality.

The bill includes strong quality control measures to ensure that consumers are protected from any problems that arise as the young industry grows.

With modest standards of 2-5 percent for biodiesel and 2-10 percent for ethanol, all engine manufacturers stand by their warranties for parts and workmanship. Many fleets, including the Navy, use biofuel blends of 20 percent now. So we know the proposed standards are easily achievable.

By setting these modest standards for biofuels, we’ll be creating a solid, growing market for a proven, domestically produced alternative to petroleum. Farmers and entrepreneurs will make major new investments in fuel crops and biofuel production facilities. More of our fuel dollars will recycle through Washington’s economy, creating local jobs and profits, instead of supporting tyranny and terrorism. We’ll attract a very promising new industry to Washington, and begin to make energy independence a reality.

Our elected leaders are talking about energy independence. But the test will be whether they stand up to the inevitable pressure and deliver a real biofuel policy this year.

Musical star Lucinda Williams might have been thinking of something else, but she could have been speaking to our leaders about energy independence when she sang:

“Later won’t do me no good anyhow. Honey now, now, now!”

K.C. Golden is policy director for Climate Solution, a partnership for practical and profitable solutions to global warming. Rich Feldman is Washington state coordinator for the Apollo Alliance, a national coalition for clean energy and good jobs.