Bellingham LED street lights
Photo credit: The Voice of My PSE


– Editor’s Note:
Yelm Councilor Molly Carmody went directly to the mayoral candidates for their views on a subject that will be front and center during the next four years. She shared their responses for Yelm Community Blog readers.


– From City of Yelm Councilor Molly Carmody to the 2017 mayoral candidates:
“Please state where you stand on Green Energy, specifically on solar/wind power that could be owned and run by the City itself, and the PSE Green Direct program (click here for article on City of Kirkland). I know that City Council ultimately votes on whether to adopt these initiatives and programs; if the vote were tied, 3-3 for and against, how would you cast your deciding vote? Your reply will be forwarded to Indivisible Yelm, the Sierra Club, and the Second Legislative District Democrats,” submitted to the Yelm Community Blog by Yelm Councilor Molly Carmody.


– Responses are in alphabetical order
Joe DePinto
“I’m all for it! Not only would it be good for the environment to utilize solar and wind generated power on city property/structures, it would be smart financially. I realize we wouldn’t see a positive ROI [return on investment] in the near future, but with buildings that can last 50 years or longer, we will see a positive return over time. The PSE program is something I would love to support, it too makes obvious sense.

I am also a big proponent of LEED certified buildings and I would propose that all new buildings be LEED certified and also to be built with solar panels on their roofs. Thanks for the questions, let me know if I can be of further assistance.”


JW Foster
“I support moving our city toward sustainable, renewable energy sources. As an individual property owner, I took advantage of PSE’s green energy purchase option many years ago. As Mayor I will work with our finance team to better understand the cost/benefit of the new technologies and power sourcing opportunities becoming available to our city. As our turn comes for PSE to assist in upgrading our street lights to LED we will see revenues freed up to apply toward other upgrades and programs that will ultimately make us ‘greener’. It’s a win for us and the planet.”