As the phases of the Energize Eastside project progress, the matter of whether Puget Sound Energy has done all that it can to conserve and generate energy locally keeps coming to mind.

At a recent forum with representatives of the utility, I asked where in the scoping statement and proposal is any plan to build solar panels on local buildings, including many new public schools, and sell shares of those panels to the public. The rationale for this idea is that individuals could bear the cost of the infrastructure as well as the profit, and we would all benefit from pollution-free energy.

Jens Nedrud, PSE spokesperson, noted that Washington state law does allow for projects of this type, but, unlike many other utility companies, PSE is not involved in this arena. One can only conclude that as a for-profit utility, PSE has little motivation to share profit with private citizens, whereas it has ample reason to build new transmission lines and towers that the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission permits the company to glean over 9 percent profit per year for 40 years.

Our community deserves better. It is time for PSE to step up and work with citizens to improve the quality of our environment by generating our own power.

Joy Phelps

Bellevue