Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeSaturday, Feb. 07, 2009
Leaders tout Tri-Cities' energy abundance
By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer
OLYMPIA -- Tri-City business, science and technology leaders continued efforts Friday to let lawmakers know their region is a leader in green and renewable energy.
Representatives from Areva, Energy Northwest, Infinia, Washington State University, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Tri-Cities Research District and others set up displays in the capitol rotunda as part of an Energy Independence Day organized by Rep. Larry Haler and Sen. Jerome Delvin, both Richland Republicans.
The idea was to talk to anyone who stopped by about the abundance of energy options in the Tri-Cities, including nuclear, solar, hydro-electric and wind power.
"We need to draw focus on the fact that the Tri-Cities is a nexus for energy production and research in the state and the country," said Haler, who works as a trainer at the Hanford nuclear reservation when he isn't in Olympia.
Many of the businesses and researchers set up in the rotunda Friday also attended a joint session of two House committees focused on energy, technology and economic development the day before, where they told lawmakers the work being done in the Tri-Cities can help lead the way in the creation of green jobs.
But they also urged the Legislature to give technology businesses incentives to start up and stay in Washington, whether with tax breaks or by allowing small-scale hydropower plants to be classified as renewable resources.
Renewable energy and green jobs have been a focal point of a plan announced by Gov. Chris Gregoire last week to tackle greenhouse gas emissions by spurring new technologies that in turn will help create jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, whose district also includes Pasco and part of Kennewick, said he hoped his colleagues walking through the capitol recognized how important renewable energy is, and will consider including hydropower in the state's definition of renewable energy sources.
"I'm a real fan of renewable," said Hewitt, whose son has a company that installs solar panels on buildings in Oregon. "That includes solar and wind. I also think it includes hydro. ... I think most of the senators I'm aware of are pretty in tune with renewable energy."
A bill introduced by Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, seeks to recognize hydropower as a renewable source under certain conditions. The Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee had a public hearing on the bill Wednesday, but hasn't yet decided whether to pass the bill on for further consideration.
Haler said he hopes to make Energy Independence Day an annual event that will incorporate energy businesses from Western Washington as well as the Tri-Cities.
He said he believes renewable energy is something everyone should be thinking about, regardless of geography or party affiliation.
"It's not a Republican or Democrat issue," Haler said. "It is an issue for everyone how we can have green energy."
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