Probst bill to create Evergreen Jobs Authority clears committee

Feb. 19, 2009

OLYMPIA – Legislation to dramatically increase Washington state’s ability to land green industry businesses and jobs passed out of committee today. The Evergreen Jobs Act’s main focus is making sure state residents have the skills needed to be employed in this good-paying and growing job sector.

“The renewable energy field is growing by leaps and bounds, but right now these jobs are going to other states” said Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, who introduced the bill. “We have many things going for us and this bill will connect the pieces so we have a plan to become a world leader in renewable energy technology.”

Probst’s legislation, House Bill 2227, would make Washington state a leader by taking steps now to deliver trained workers to renewable energy industries, as well as monitor how the state is doing so that other steps can be taken down the road.

“Without the people to fill the desks and manufacturing plants, businesses won’t be coming here,” Probst said. “The Evergreen Jobs Authority will find a worker, show them a career they can support a family with, train them, and get them connected with an employer.”

“Most industries are in decline, and the recession is deepening. In contrast, the renewable energy industry is growing and hiring. But they’re growing in other states, not here. We need to fix that.”

The act follows up on work last year in the Legislature, which passed the Green Jobs Initiative. That bill directed state agencies and boards to start thinking about ways to get more renewable industry jobs here. It also set a goal for the state to increase the number of clean energy jobs in the state by 2020. House Bill 2227 would create a strategy to bring 15,000 new jobs by 2020.

The Evergreen Jobs Act won approval from the House Community and Economic Development and Trade Committee. It must now go to a fiscal committee for approval before it can be considered for a vote on the House floor.

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For more information:
State Rep. Tim Probst, (360) 786-7994
Print-quality image: www.leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Probst.jpg

Staff contact – Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218