Energy

Governor Chris Gregoire believes it is imperative to create and maintain an ample supply of clean energy to support our economic competitiveness and preserve our environment. An abundant, affordable, environmentally responsible and diverse energy supply underlies Washington’s economic and environmental health.  Washington is blessed with the country’s finest hydropower resources, which provide clean and affordable electricity for our citizens and businesses, and the Governor is committed to maintaining those benefits for Washingtonians.   Washingtonians spend more than $28 million a day on oil and natural gas.  The high price of gas hurts Washington families. Governor Gregoire knows that by keeping more of those dollars here in our state, we can help working families, strengthen our local economy and break our dependence on foreign oil.

Moving Washington Forward

Governor Gregoire’s work on energy in the new millennium looks to the future and links our energy independence to the creation of new green jobs. Under her leadership, state government is helping to move Washington toward energy independence. In fact, Washington now ranks among the top five states for harnessing wind power and the top three for manufacturing the equipment to generates solar electricity. In spring 2008, Governor Gregoire convened a national summit on clean energy research, sharing Washington’s goals and achievements with leaders across the United States.  Washington has a goal of tripling jobs in this area to more than 25,000 by 2020, and is well on its way to meeting that target.

Washington has some of the most innovative public-private partnerships in the world.  Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland are working together at a new center for bioenergy and bio-products in the Tri-Cities area. Meanwhile, the University of Washington boasts several programs that are examining the impact of climate change. Efforts to develop new forms of clean energy span Washington state, from a biodiesel plant in Hoquiam to a Moses Lake company that manufactures solar panels, to name a few.

While Governor Gregoire has led the state of Washington in the creation and development of green energy, she has emerged as a national leader, as well. Governor Gregoire has worked with several West Coast Governors and Canadian Premiers to encourage the reduction of green house gases. And recently, Governor Gregoire signed the “Pickens Pledge,” which calls for the next presidential administration to develop a federal energy plan within their first 100 days in office to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil by 30 percent within 10 years.

Energy Conservation

Governor Gregoire believes that Washington can remain a leader in energy efficiency, making the wisest use of our natural resources and improving our economic competitiveness. She signed legislation in 2005 that set efficiency standards for a dozen commercial products and established the nation’s first requirements for green public buildings. She received an award from the Northwest Energy Coalition for her leadership on efficiency and renewable energy.

Energy efficiency reduces consumption and pollution, creates jobs and makes our economy more efficient. State government will do its part to reduce electricity, natural gas and petroleum use in vehicles and buildings, saving taxpayers money while conserving resources. In 2005, state government reduced electricity use on the Capitol Campus by 14 percent and reduced natural gas use by 36 percent. And in 2008, Governor Gregoire called on several state agencies to switch to a four day workweek to conserve fuel and energy.

Renewable Energy Production

Increasing energy production from renewable resources will spur the development of clean energy businesses. Governor Gregoire believes clean energy, such as wind power, biomass and biofuels, is particularly valuable to the agricultural economy as another “crop” that our farmers can harvest.

The next generation of cutting-edge energy technologies, like ethanol from wheat straw and wood waste or controls to make the electricity grid “smarter”, can be developed in partnership with Washington’s world-class research institutions and entrepreneurial companies. Greater use of renewable resources will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and diversify our supplies, increasing the security of our sources of energy. Renewable resources are also much better for our environment.

The Future of Biofuels

Biofuels are produced from crops that can be grown and processed in our own state, keeping our dollars in our own communities. Governor Gregoire helped provide a new market for Washington-grown energy crops like canola or mustard by requiring fuel suppliers in Washington to ensure that two percent of Washington’s fuel supply come from renewable fuel sources.  The Governor has invested money in research for the next generation of alternative fuels that would come from agricultural and timber waste, so we can avoid the food or fuel debate and turn something that is currently a waste into an alternative to imported oil.   Governor Gregoire promoted private investment in the biofuels industry by winning passage of legislation that provides financial assistance for the infrastructure necessary to support a clean fuel industry, such as seed crushers and anaerobic digesters.

Assisting Those in Need

Governor Gregoire recognizes that abundant, affordable energy is critical to Washington families and our economy. She will fight attempts to take our low-cost hydropower system away from us and is working with utilities and their customers to ensure those benefits are available for decades to come. Governor Gregoire also signed legislation to help low-income families pay high winter heating bills.