I don't think we're getting a national feed-in tariff very soon. Maybe in a few years. So, today I wrote a letter to the editor for my local newspaper today on the subject: (limited to 200 words)
'Washington State needs a feed-in tariff for Renewable Energy Investment.
In brief, a feed-in tariff is an arrangement made between Government (Local, State, or Federal), Utilities, and Private Investors to guarantee investors a set return on Alternative Energy Investments by contracting with them to buy energy that they produce at a set rate over a set period of time.
Any who've been paying attention to the incredible growth of Solar Power in Germany have seen the results of a feed-in tariff. By stimulating private investment in alternative Energy Production, Germany has not only generated local job growth, but has also been instrumental in the scaling-up of a Worldwide Industry from an annual installation capacity of 400MW in 2001 to 5.95GW in 2008.
Not only would a local feed-in tariff stimulate outside investment, but it would create local jobs and support the development of a skill-base for the development and support of these new industries over the long term.
Of course, you might suggest that, this being Washington, there’s no place for Solar Energy due to our weather, but remember that neither is Germany known as a land of sun, and yet they’ve had great success with their feed-in Tariff.'