Local environmental activists say an initiative that would require some utilities to get at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2020 is a step in the right direction towards a large-scale fight against the effects of global warming.

Backed by hundreds of thousands in the state of Washington, Initiative 937 could also mean a big win towards decreasing the state's reliance on fossil fuels by increasing the use of natural resources like wind and solar energy, said Jody Grage Haug, chair of Washington's Green Party.

"We realize that it's not as much as we'd like, but it's an official step and we feel it's worth doing," said Grage Haug.

Jim Jenson, a Ballard resident and vice president of Environmental Credit Corporation, called the initiative a "no brainer" because of the abundance of renewable resources in the Pacific Northwest.

"It shouldn't be hard to get to 15 percent, by 2020--it's only 10 years," said Jenson. "Ultimately, we need to go further than that with the problems we face with this climate crisis we are in. But it's a great step."

Jensen said the initiative could put local utilities in a good position to sell energy to other parts of the country where the amount of renewables isn't as abundant.

Utilities are already moving towards using more renewable resources, said Suzanne Hartman, director of community and public affairs for Seattle City Light. Hydropower represents about 90 percent of City Light's power and the company's 20-year plan includes expanding the types of renewables it uses, she said.

But Hartman said the initiative's requirements could impose substantial costs to utility companies like City Light that are already using significant amounts of hydro. Hydro is not considered a "new" renewable source of energy because it's commonly used and doesn't fit with the goal of the proposal to create a more diverse mix of power resources.

Though certain upgrades to hydro facilities could earn them credits towards meeting the initiative's standards, said Hartman.

City Light would have to replace its current hydro with other, more expensive renewable energy, she said, possibly increasing the rates customers pay for utilities.

Some groups, such as the Association of Washington Business, have come out in opposition to the initiative, saying it will increase electricity bills and utility taxes for Washingtonian households and reduce the options to provide energy at competitive costs.

Backers of the initiative say it wouldn't dramatically increase energy costs because of an escape clause that would let utilities obtain a waiver if costs rose more than 4 percent as a result of the requirements. Opponents say the costs would be driven up regardless of the waiver because the additional costs acquired in purchasing renewable energy would come on top of regular costs.

But Jensen believes renewables will likely become an economic driver as the costs of fossil fuels rise coupled with pressure from the growing debate over global warming.

"As soon as cleaner air and reduced green house gasses has a monetary effect, it'll release the inventiveness and ingenuity of everyone in this country," Jenson predicted. "There's a great future but it'll be because we're smart about how we use renewables."