Tri-City legislators sponsor 'Energy Independence Day' in Olympia

January 30, 2009

OLYMPIA….Reps. Larry Haler and Brad Klippert are joined by Sen. Jerome Delvin in sponsoring the Legislature's first "Energy Independence Day" Friday, Feb. 6 in Olympia.

The event seeks to highlight the work being done by Tri-Cities' businesses and public entities for their efforts to make Washington a national leader in alternative energy production and energy independence.

"Our state and nation continue to face challenges in the fields of energy production, retention, delivery and consumption," Haler said.  "Overcoming these challenges with an emphasis on ingenuity, creativity and steadfast resolve will be key in leading our nation towards the ultimate goal of energy independence."

Haler, R-Richland, said many of the state's leading research and development companies working on expanding the technology and availability of alternative energy sources are found in the Tri-Cities region.

"We have clean, abundant, inexpensive hydropower; we have a highly-educated and motivated local workforce; and we have the science and technological heritage to form a solid base for local and national efforts," Haler said.  "From renewable resources like wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, to advanced breakthroughs in more traditional energy sources like hydro and nuclear power, our region is literally a national leader in finding cutting-edge solutions to our energy problems."

"Washington has all the raw materials and know-how to achieve energy independence," said Delvin, R-Richland.  "We just need the will to do it.  The Tri-Cities is poised to lead the state in clean energy technology development and production.  We want to show the rest of the state the leading-edge technologies that can help us become completely self-sustaining.  I invite everyone to come see the possibilities."

"When people think of Hanford, they think about its role in World War II. We want them to know the tremendous opportunities it holds for the future. That includes the production of safe, clean, green energy," said Klippert, R-Kennewick. "We have many incredibly smart and talented people who are building new energy-producing technologies and incorporating nuclear, wind, and solar powers, as well as biotechnologies. We've yet to tap the full potential of each of these new technologies and the possibilities are endless. This is an opportunity to educate people about Hanford's full potential."

Participants in the Energy Independence Day will have information displays and exhibits placed in the rotunda inside the state Capitol building.  Participants include:

• AREVA
• Infinia
• Energy Northwest
• Benton and Franklin County Public Utility Districts
• Innovatek
• Tri-Cities Research District
• Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
• Washington State University Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory
• Washington State University
• Washington State University, Tri-Cities
• American Nuclear Society

The 8th District lawmakers will honor the day and the participants with a resolution in both the House and Senate.

- 30 -

Sen. Delvin represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes
Richland, Kennewick, Benton City, and Prosser.

Additional contact: Pat Albright at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov