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Tri-City
businesses and technology efforts highlighted as area legislators
sponsor 'Energy Independence Day' in 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:
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AREVA
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Infinia
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Energy
Northwest
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Benton and
Franklin County Public Utility Districts
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Innovatek
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Tri-Cities
Research District
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Home Builders
Association of Tri-Cities
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Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory
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Washington
State University Bioproducts,
Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory
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Washington
State University
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Washington State University, Tri-Cities
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American
Nuclear Society
The 8th District lawmakers will honor the day and the participants with
a resolution in both the House and Senate.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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