April 7, 2009
By Chris Gregoire Special to The Times
RECENTLY in Copenhagen, scientists heard the startling news that climate change is happening even faster than predicted. We're seeing the devastating results here — two 100-year floods in the past two years, droughts, changes in snow pack and rainfall, and more.
I understand it's hard to look past the current economic crisis. But when we do, we see a Washington that can lead the nation and world in reducing harmful greenhouse-gas pollution that threatens our environment, our economy and our way of life.
We're already off to a good start.
Take Kenworth Truck Company in Kirkland for example. They took a risk and developed cleaner, fuel-efficient delivery trucks. Recently, the company reported its largest hybrid truck order in history for 185 diesel-electric tractors and hybrid trucks.
Cannon Power Group just announced it's expanding its wind farm near Goldendale in Eastern Washington, creating jobs and developing a clean source of renewable energy to power 250,000 homes.
Washington is home to entrepreneurs making biofuels with homegrown crops and algae found in the Puget Sound, as well as companies like Itron in Liberty Lake, which are already global leaders in technology solutions for the smart power grid that will feed our transformation to a clean, green energy future.
That's innovative and smart. That's Washington's people powering Washington's economy.
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