“We can dominate the next big global industry,” say West Coast leaders about clean technology

Gov. Jay Inslee, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and British Columbia Premier John Horgan participated in a keynote panel discussion at the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference earlier this week to discuss shared efforts to combat climate change and build a world-leading clean energy economy.

California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia form the equivalent of the world’s fifth largest economy. Collective commitment to reduced carbon emissions is helping the planet, advancing the economy, saving species, and revolutionizing transportation.

"Our economy is zooming because we've embraced clean energy," said Inslee. "We're growing jobs like crazy in this high-tech economy."

“We can dominate the next big global industry,” said Newsom. “This is about economic dominance across the spectrum. Private investment will come at scale to create industries of the future and dominate them.”

“The 48^th parallel means nothing to salmon,” said Horgan. “We can't waste time discussing jurisdictions. There can’t be multiple voices – it needs to be all of us.”

“This is only going to happen with strong public-private partnerships,” said Brown. “Look what happened during the New Deal – Roosevelt electrified the United States. We cannot build EV networks across the country without strong partnerships.”

Horgan announced in June that he would step down as premiere before the next provincial election. Inslee thanked the outgoing premier for his years of service to British Columbia and partnership with Washington on several cross-border issues.

In his two terms as premier, Horgan has advanced affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, and clean energy in British Columbia. In 2021, the province opened its Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy to help British Columbia reach its goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Firefighters continue fighting multiple wildfires across Washington state

Wildland firefighters are battling fires across Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia in September. The Bolt Creek Fire in Washington has forced evacuations and affected air quality. Photo Credits: Mount Saint Helens, Washington State Department of Transportation, Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

Firefighters continue to battle ongoing fires across the state, including the 92,548 acre Cedar Creek Fire and 9,940 acre Bolt Creek Fire.

“We appreciate all these firefighting crews are doing to protect the life and property of Washingtonians,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “One of the most important ways to help them do their job is to heed local authorities if or when they call for evacuation – they’re doing it to save your life, and the lives of first responders.”

The following sources post updates about wildfires and smoke in Washington state:

• Washington Smoke Information blog
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Twitter
• Washington State Department of Ecology Air Quality Index map

Inslee tours Nordic nuclear facilities, early learning schools during trade mission

Gov. Jay Inslee and state representatives from business, education, and government began a trade mission to the Nordic countries this week.

On Wednesday, the governor visited a research facility in Finland to discuss nuclear energy policy and waste treatment with Finnish experts and authorities. Finland operates four nuclear reactors at two plants and may generate as much as 44% of its electricity from nuclear generation once a fifth reactor is completed. Inslee also visited a Finnish cooling and heating plant fueled by coal and natural gas. The facility is transitioning towards zero-emissions technology like waste heat recapture, electric heat pumps, and ocean cooling.

Inslee also visited a Microsoft facility that uses an innovative method to reduce carbon emissions. Outside air cools servers, then Microsoft recovers the heat in water. The warmed water is pumped to the Fortum energy plant where it is used to help heat water pumped to nearby residential customers.

On Thursday, the governor visited a grade school in Finland to learn from the nation’s approach to early childhood learning. Finnish students begin compulsory education at an earlier age than Washington students, among other differences.

The governor and delegation travel to Sweden next. Remaining stops on his trade mission include meetings about clean technology, prison reform, forestry, maritime, and electrified transit.

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Washington state celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

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Blood donations needed, students urged to donate

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“Simple as that” campaign reminds everyone how they can help prevent litter

The Washington State Department of Ecology has launched a litter prevention campaign to encourage simple choices to properly dispose of garbage. Department research found that keeping a trash bag in the car makes a huge difference in reducing litter. Ecology is partnering with Fred Meyer stores to give away free car trash bags. More than 18 million pounds of litter accumulate on Washington roads, parks, and recreation areas each year.

State grants will fund solar panels at schools, public buildings

The Washington State Department of Commerce announced $1.4 million in grants for state and local agencies to install solar panels on public buildings. Fourteen projects statewide were funded by this round of grants including a senior center in Kent, a fire station in Shelton, and several schools across the state.

Dana Miles named 2023 State Teacher of the Year; Veronica Gonzalez named 2022 State Classified School Employee of the Year

Washington School for the Deaf’s Dana Miles has been named 2023 Washington State Teacher of the Year, and Mount Vernon High School’s Veronica Gonzalez has been named 2022 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. Both will compete for national recognition this spring.

New state law allows Washington students to take excused mental health days

Students have reported increasing anxiety and stress for over a decade. The Legislature passed HB 1834 earlier this year, making Washington one of 12 states that allows students to take an excused absence for mental health. “Mental health days” ensure students and their parents or caregivers have more opportunity to be proactive about mental health symptoms or challenges.