Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Senate climate legislation

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today released the following statement on federal legislation announced today by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) that would create a national policy to address the global threat of climate change:

�I have been a strong advocate for national legislation to address climate change � and was pleased last year when the US House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to move our nation toward a clean energy future. I commend Senators Kerry and Lieberman for their work and appreciate the step taken today in making public their proposed legislation. If the United States is to be a competitor in the global economy, we simply must come together on a national energy and climate strategy. Time is of the essence.

�While our congressional leaders work to develop a federal approach to combating climate change and achieving energy independence, Washington state hasn�t stood back � we�ve continued to be innovative in our approach to address our longstanding energy problems. We�ve put in place cutting-edge programs to increase the amount of energy we get from renewable sources, make our homes and businesses more energy-efficient, set targets for reductions in global warming pollution, and encourage a shift toward cleaner modes of transportation. This is good for our environment � and it�s good for job growth, as our strategies continue to attract new businesses to our state ready to compete in the clean energy economy.

�It�s critical that Congress act quickly. We need to show the rest of the world that, as a nation, we're committed to tackling the challenges of climate change head-on while promoting a clean economy that grows jobs and improves our environment."