Washington

Funding Represents Federal Investment Championed by Cantwell to Make the Nation's Electricity Grid Smarter, Stronger, More Efficient, and Reliable

October 27,2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that Snohomish Public Utility District (PUD) will receive a federal investment of $15,825,817 to implement smart grid technologies that will create jobs and lead to lower electricity bills for consumers.

The funding will be used to install a smart grid framework, including a digital telecommunications network, substation automation and a robust distribution system infrastructure. This will enable the implementation of future smart grid technologies, including smart meters that will provide real-time energy use information to customers.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- EVERETT – Gov. Chris Gregoire today joined leaders in the aerospace industry, Snohomish County elected officials and community college presidents to announce $1.5 million in Workforce Investment Act funds to support the state’s aerospace training programs. Gregoire made the announcement at Everett Community College’s Aviation Maintenance and Technical School at Paine Field.

“We know we have two fundamental challenges in keeping our competitive edge in the aerospace industry,” Gregoire said. “We have to recruit new workers, and we have to make sure both our current and incoming workers have cutting-edge skills. To accomplish that, we must invest in our education and training system.”

Of the $1.5 million for aerospace training programs:    » read more »

Legislation will protect endangered species habitat salmon

October 13, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 1593) to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a component of the Wild and Scenic River System. The House legislation, sponsored by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), will permanently protect the free flowing nature of this tributary of the Skagit River. This legislation was introduced in March of this year and earned widespread local support, including endorsements from environmentalists, Skagit County Commissioners, fishing groups, and farmers.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today announced more than $14 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for programs providing energy efficiency upgrades to middle income homes and small businesses in Washington.

Eight private and public projects across the state – including Pioneer Human Services, the Opportunity Council, the City of Ellensburg, Snohomish County PUD, Sustainable Living Center, Sustainable Works, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Clark Public Utilities – were selected by an independent review committee based on their ability to:

· Increase energy efficiency in residential and small commercial buildings – reducing energy use and utility expenses for middle-income residents of our state.    » read more »

Murray worked to include funding that will benefit farmers and consumers, give Washington state's highest employing industry a competitive economic edge

October 8, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that the millions of dollars in federal funding she included for Washington state agriculture research priorities in the 2010 Senate Agriculture Appropriations has been passed by both houses of Congress and is expected to be signed into law.

This funding will support ongoing research for a wide range of Washington agricultural goods, including legumes, potatoes, wine grapes, organic foods, and berries. The final version passed the Senate today by a vote of 76-22.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- SPOKANE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today joined more than 200 aerospace executives at the 3rd annual Governor’s Aerospace Summit in Spokane, where she discussed “The Business Case for Consolidating Boeing 787 Assembly in Washington,” and other advantages for the aerospace industry in Washington state.

“In Washington, we’ve built a home that encourages aerospace,” Gregoire said. “Our basic taxes, including property, sales and business and occupation taxes are below or very near the comparable taxes in our competitor states. We’ve reduced the B&O tax rate for aerospace, and created credits for new buildings, new machinery, and land used for manufacturing to ensure our aerospace companies statewide succeed.”    » read more »

October 5, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced the recipients of more than $20 million in grants and loans from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean technology programs throughout the state. The funding addresses a specific goal to reduce energy consumption by at least 25 percent of the state’s 1990 per capita energy use by 2012.    » read more »

Funding will create family wage jobs and help Washington state remain at the forefront of technology, research, and innovation

October 6, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that the $63 million in federal defense work for Washington state companies that she included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill has passed the full Senate. Senator Murray is a senior member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- LOS ANGELES – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today welcomed attendees to this year’s Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. The summit brings together governors and local government leaders from around the world to develop strategies that will grow a clean energy economy, increase the use of sustainable clean energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. Strategies developed at the summit will be taken to the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark.    » read more »

September 16, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation submitted applications for three high priority projects in King County, Vancouver, and Spokane to compete for the $1.5 billion available in TIGER Discretionary Grants, part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“I am proud of the way Washington state and its agencies are aggressively fighting for recovery funds,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We are doing all we can to improve our infrastructure, while creating jobs. I am confident the Department of Transportation has put together a competitive bid that will enhance our roads, while putting people to work.”    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- POULSBO – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, Congressman Jay Inslee, Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade, state Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, and Kitsap Home Builders Association President Art Castle today announced the award of federal funding for the North Viking Avenue Improvements project.

Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $3.8 million project will make this the largest ARRA-funded project in the Olympic Peninsula and the fourth largest ARRA-funded municipal project in the state.

“Like so many other areas in Washington, the recession has hit Poulsbo hard. These funds will improve access to an economically distressed part of the city and put people to work,” Gregoire said.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire released the following statement on the signing by President Obama of legislation that gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products:

“Curbing tobacco use among children and adults has been one of the driving forces of my career, going back to my days as state attorney general. I couldn’t be more pleased that President Obama signed legislation today that gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products. Given that tobacco use kills an estimated 400,000 Americans and costs the nation roughly $96 billion in health care bills each year, it is critically important that the FDA regulates tobacco in the same way it regulates nearly every other product we consume.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is encouraging Washington’s congressional delegation to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 when it comes before the House of Representatives for a vote June 25.

“The United States cannot afford to wait any longer to take comprehensive action to break our dependence on foreign oil. We must seize the opportunity to develop 21st century energy technologies, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and arrest global warming,” Gregoire wrote in a letter.    » read more »

Funding will boost economy, support purchase of buses, maintenance of ferry vessels and terminals

June 19, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that $20,501,842 has been released in grants by the U.S. Department of Transportation for mass transit projects in Washington state. The grants were funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and will be put to use improving transportation and creating jobs in Washington state.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that Washington state will receive over $30 million in federal Homeland Security Grant funding made possible through the Fiscal Year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill.

The money will be used to help Washington state communities pay for emergency equipment, strengthen border security, improve their emergency coordination efforts, and prepare for a regional catastrophe.    » read more »