News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 28, 2003
Contact:  Roger Nyhus and Michael Marchand, Governor’s Office, 360-902-4136;
Alt Contact:  Jed Lewison, Office of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, 206-819-8086

U.S. Sen. Cantwell Secures New Federal Commitment for Washington’s 7E7 Bid

As part of a coordinated federal-state effort, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell today secured the agreement of a key federal official to assist with Washington state’s bid, led by Gov. Gary Locke, to land the Boeing 7E7 final assembly.

Harry Manaka, current vice chair and incoming chair of the Seattle Federal Executive Board, will serve as the point person for Washington’s 7E7 team to work through federal regulatory, permitting and efficiency-related issues, Cantwell announced.

In his role, Manaka will lead a federal “service counter” for the state. The goal of the federal “service counter” is to ensure the smooth operation of federal agencies in enforcing regulations and supplying permits. Boeing had stressed the importance of a timely and efficient regulatory and permitting process in their selection criteria.

Joining Cantwell and Locke at the news conference were Manaka and Tom Fitzsimmons, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology.

“This federal ‘service counter’ for Governor Locke’s 7E7 team will play an important role in smoothing federal regulatory and permitting issues,” Cantwell said. “On behalf of our state’s congressional delegation, we want Boeing to hear loud and clear that we are ready, willing, and able to make the 7E7 a great success right here in Washington state.

“If Boeing chooses Washington state to build the 7E7, we will keep on fighting like hell for Boeing in Washington, D.C.,” Cantwell said. “We’ve already delivered strong federal support for Boeing – such as the 767 tanker deal and workforce training investments. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.”

Locke said, “Addressing further need for efficiencies at the federal level allows us to strengthen the coordinated, bipartisan work of our state, county, city, business, labor, tribal and legislative leaders. Today we again demonstrate that our state and congressional delegation will do whatever is necessary to win the Boeing 7E7 final assembly – and thousands of jobs – for the people of Washington.”

The federal “service counter” could be used by a state or local project to identify the federal stakeholder agencies in the project. At a later point in the project, it could help ensure that relevant federal agencies acted swiftly on requests to grant needed permits or regulatory approvals.

Fitzsimmons noted that the state’s Department of Ecology has been working closely with Boeing and the Port of Everett for more than a year to anticipate and meet their permitting needs for the 7E7.

“If Washington is selected, we expect the state permits for this project to go forward smoothly,” Fitzsimmons said.

In recent months, Washington’s congressional delegation has shown strong support for Boeing, addressing several criteria identified by the company for the 7E7 site selection process. Examples include:

·767 Tanker Deal Shows Delegation Strength and Support. The 767 tanker deal illustrates strong “governmental support for manufacturing businesses” on the part of the entire Washington state delegation, particularly U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks and Sen. Patty Murray.

·Cantwell Has Delivered Training Infrastructure for Composites Materials. Cantwell secured funding to start a composites materials job training program at Edmonds Community College, addressing Boeing’s desire for “training infrastructure and partnering opportunities with local agencies or governments.” Composites materials will be used extensively in the new 7E7, and Cantwell has authored legislation to create a research center focused on the use of composites in aviation at the University of Washington.

·Federal “Service Counter” Will Help Smooth Regulatory Process. Today’s announcement of the federal “service counter” will help address the federal components of Boeing’s focus on the “regulations and permitting process.”

·Murray Has Delivered Transportation Investments. Transportation is a top criterion for Boeing. As the ranking member on the Senate Transportation Appropriations subcommittee, Murray has delivered significant federal transportation investments for Washington state.



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