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Rep. Tim Probst, serving the 17th District Serving Vancouver and the surrounding communities of southern Clark County. |
Bill to lure green energy manufacturers gets committee hearing
Probst proposal aims to land renewable businesses going to Oregon, B.C.
Feb. 24, 2009
OLYMPIA – The renewable energy industry was picked to triple their
business over the next decade—and that was before the passing of the
green-energy heavy federal stimulus package.
Rep. Tim Probst,
D-Vancouver, believes that Washington state, and especially the Vancouver
area, could be an epicenter for this growing sector and the jobs they’ll
bring.
“Vancouver could become a world-class green energy exporter,”
Probst said. “We have the people ready to train and fill these emerging
positions, in addition to a state that will continue to be one of the best
for innovative businesses.”
The renewable manufacturing legislation,
House Bill 2130, would provide a business and occupation tax credit for 50
percent of capital funds invested. This credit would max out at $4 million a
year per project, and statewide the credit cannot be more than $40 million.
“The competition to land these companies is heated and right now
Washington is falling behind,” Probst said. “As many things as we have going
for us, a huge piece of what brings a renewable energy manufacturer to a
state is the incentive package you can offer.”
“Last year, Oregon won
three projects from us. That means 1,300 good manufacturing jobs and half a
billion dollars in private investment that we should have won for Clark
County.”
Probst realizes it’s a bad budget year, but wants
legislators to realize the impact of what this incentive could do for
Vancouver and the state.
“People need good jobs, now more than ever,”
Probst said. “This bill can bring a lot of good high technology jobs to
Washington.”
House Bill 2130 now must be passed out of committee.
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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
Bill information:
HB
2130: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/Summary.aspx?bill=2130&year=20090