TEC committee chair calls opportunity for all ‘Chapter No. 1 in our Evergreen legacy’
OLYMPIA – A key state lawmaker in the state of Washington’s march toward long-term economic development in the energy sector welcomed a powerful federal ally today aboard the bipartisan alternative-energy train.
Washington State Rep. John McCoy, who chairs the Washington State House Technology, Energy & Communications Committee, applauded U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s recent introduction of a bipartisan measure – the Hydropower Improvement Act of 2011 – that is aimed at beefing up the nation’s hydropower production.
Cantwell, one of the Evergreen State’s two Democratic U.S. senators, said in a statement: “Emissions-free hydropower is the backbone of Washington’s economy, providing around three quarters of our electricity, and keeping our rates among the lowest in the country. This bipartisan bill will help find ways to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity without building new dams, improving air quality while creating new clean energy jobs.”
“I certainly look very forward to continuing our work with the senator,” McCoy said of Cantwell’s federal bill. “Her bill obviously represents top-notch reinforcements in our work toward energy freedom and job creation.”
McCoy emphasized that “working together for one Washington where everyone has the same fair and equal opportunity for success is Chapter No. 1 in our Evergreen legacy.
Every citizen, every family, every business should have the very same fair and equal shot at earning their own success.”
The Snohomish County lawmaker said that “a big part of making that opportunity happen for everyone will depend in large measure on where this new ‘Green Century’ takes us in the world of power.”
Along those power lines, McCoy is sponsoring a “Green Works to Keep the Evergreen State Working Summit” at the Qualco Bio-Gas Energy Facility in Monroe this Saturday afternoon, March 19. McCoy’s Energy Summit will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Qualco, which is located at 18117 Southeast 203rd St. Legislators from around the region have been invited to join McCoy for a Qualco tour and other educational activities. Folks representing Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1, as well as Silicon Energy, Sunergy Systems, The Light Doctor, and, of course, Qualco Energy, will also be on hand to share insights.
McCoy will also talk about what’s been happening in his legislative committee so far this year in Olympia.
Cantwell chairs the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy.