Gov. Gregoire testifies before U.S. Senate

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. � Gov. Chris Gregoire today championed green jobs before the Green Jobs & the New Economy Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee in Washington, D.C.

�In Washington state we are acting now to lay the groundwork to come out of the recession even stronger than when it began,� Gregoire said. �We have been aggressively pursuing alternative energy strategies to create 21st century jobs.�

Using examples of Washington�s success, Gregoire encouraged members of the Senate to pass comprehensive legislation to address climate change and spur green job growth.

According to Forbes magazine, Washington is one of the greenest states in the nation. The state generates energy from solar power, waste heat, landfill gases and wind power, with tax incentives offered for each method. From generating virtually no wind power in 2001, Washington is now the fifth-largest United States producer. Cle Elum, originally a coal-mining town, was recently selected to become the site of the nation�s largest solar panel energy generation plant.

Gregoire also highlighted Washington�s unprecedented growth in green job creation and discussed her 2007 goal to create 25,000 green jobs by 2020. A recent study by the state�s Employment Security Department identified that now 47,000 such positions exist in Washington, exceeding the governor�s goal. Innovative educational programs have been established by Washington�s community and technical colleges, and thousands of apprenticeships provide training for the farmers, engineers, technicians and architects who fuel the green economy.

Gregoire urged committee members to take decisive action against climate change and greenhouse gas emissions while they continue to encourage economic progress. This recommendation was originally formulated by a group of Western governors and later reinforced when Gregoire co-chaired the economic development & commerce committee at the recently concluded National Governors Association meeting.

�Our coalition calls for legislation that breaks dependence on foreign oil by using energy efficiently and producing more clean energy,� Gregoire said. �We don�t want to wait until it is too late to help our industries succeed.�

The governor thanked the senators for inviting her and for their commitment �to position the United States to be a global leader in the green technological innovations of the future, and to ensure our economic recovery.�