Gov. Gregoire�s statement on climate meeting with Obama administration

For Immediate Release: February 21, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire released the following statement on her meeting with other governors and members of the Obama administration to discuss clean energy and climate change cooperation:

"Today, I had the opportunity to join other governors in a meeting with Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and President Obama�s Assistant on Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner. This was a meeting 11 governors and I requested to discuss ways the states and federal government can work together to address climate change as we create jobs to support a clean-energy economy.

"Despite the lack of federal leadership the past four years, Washington state has excelled in developing polices that focus on the creation of green jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting alternative fuels. Washington, a founding member of the Western Climate Initiative, has adopted tough emission standards and proved that state-federal cooperation is possible through the Bonneville Power Administration. In addition, Washington has created more than 47,000 green jobs, with a goal to create an additional 25,000 by the year 2020.

"Today�s discussion with the Obama administration gave my fellow governors and me the opportunity to discuss our successes and develop strategies to help shape a federal program to address climate change. Working together, we will ensure that Washington maintains momentum and builds on what our state has already achieved.

"Prior to the climate meeting, I had the opportunity to talk with Energy Secretary Chu about the cleanup of Hanford and other energy issues. The Energy Secretary accepted my invitation to visit Hanford and he will try to schedule a trip in the coming months.

"I thank President Obama for coordinating this meeting so quickly, and look forward to future meetings with the president and his administration. I am committed to strengthening our partnership and sharing Washington�s experiences to help build a comprehensive American energy and climate strategy for the new century."



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