Gov. Gregoire leads national summit on renewable energy and energy security

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2008

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire today convened a national summit on �Clean Energy Research, Development and Demonstration� along with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as part of the National Governor�s Association series �Securing a Clean Energy Future.�

�While climate change is our generation�s greatest challenge, it also supplies our greatest opportunity,� Gregoire said. �Washington is a leader in research and development of innovative technologies, and clean energy presents another tremendous economic opportunity.�

The two-day summit includes a series of interactive discussions among national experts, research laboratories and the private sector, as well as an exchange of ideas and best practices on renewable energy.

�Millions of state and federal dollars are going to unlock the next generation of fuels, transform waste to energy and avoid the food-versus-fuel debates,� Gregoire said. �The state�s role is to help Washingtonians drive technology that will allow for the development of new economic sectors.�

Pawlenty, who chaired the meeting with Gregoire, said, �Creating a cleaner, more secure and more independent energy future is one of the most urgent challenges facing our nation. Reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy and building a clean energy infrastructure will improve our national security, our economic well-being and our quality of life. States are well positioned to lead the way as we Americanize our energy sources and grow related jobs and our economy.�

Washington boasts public and private sector research efforts that are among the best in the world. Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland are partners in a new center for bioenergy and bio-products in the Tri-Cities. They recently hired a world-class expert in next generation alternative fuels to lead the efforts. The University of Washington has preeminent engineering, medical, and forestry programs, along with scientific groups looking at the impacts of climate change.

This event follows Gregoire�s signing of House Bill 2815, her climate change and green job legislation that moves the state forward on addressing climate change and lays the foundation for the green economy.

The development of renewable energy in Washington has helped create jobs and will continue to grow economic opportunities throughout the state. In Hoquiam, a biodiesel plant changes plant material into fuel, while in Moses Lake, workers build components for solar panels.

Gregoire, a key leader in the Western Climate Initiative, has pushed for the adoption of California�s clean car standards and backed the statewide green building effort to reduce green house gas emissions while maintaining Washington�s high quality of life.

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