The state’s economy will be poised to catch the surging waves of growth in the natural gas and telecommunications industries under two job-creation proposals by Rep. Jeff Morris that won unanimous approval today in the state House.
“We’re on the verge of a Second Industrial Revolution here in North America, fueled by the abundance and low cost of our natural gas resources,” said Morris, chair of the House Technology and Economic Development Committee. “We need to make sure that we encourage our utilities to invest in natural gas, which will mean more jobs and business success – as well as cleaner air to breathe.”
Morris’ House Bill 2177 calls on state regulators to develop rules that promote increased investment by utilities in expansion of their natural-gas networks, particularly into rural areas and those now lacking gas service. The goal of the rules changes would be to generate $250 million in pipeline expansion and the conversion of 50,000 home heating systems from wood or oil to natural gas by 2025. The conversions would help reduce air pollution.
A second Morris measure, House Bill 2175, streamlines permit requirements for cell-phone and wireless service expansion, with a focus on the scaled-down cell antennas and equipment installations that play an increasing role in telecommunications networks.
“The explosion in mobile telecommunications presents a great opportunity for economic development in Washington state,” Morris said. “We want to target growth industries to create jobs and prosperity in the future.”
The bills now move to the state Senate.