Governor Convenes Clean Energy Leadership Council

Source:  Governor Christine Gregoire, Press Release, August 12, 2009.

The newly created Clean Energy Leadership Council, convened by the Governor’s office and a state-wide public-private clean energy alliance, held its first meeting today in Seattle.  “This new council will create important strategies to accelerate our transition away from fossil fuels for a 21st century economy,” Gregoire said. “These strategies will lay the groundwork to ensure our state continues to attract investments, create partnerships and lead the way for a clean-energy future that includes green jobs.”

The council was created with the passage of SB 5921, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County. The council will focus on getting Washington’s energy policies, technologies and capital aligned to ensure Washington continues to be a leader in clean energy development. The council will deliver a clean energy strategy and recommendations by December 1, 2010.

“The council brings together a remarkable array of experience and expertise – from companies in the clean energy sector, from private sector research institutions and entrepreneurs, from public universities, from the state department of Commerce and other state agencies – as well as the strong backing of Gov. Gregoire and members of the legislature,” stated Rockefeller. “This council understands the competitive landscape, clean energy companies, projects and jobs throughout the US and the world, and can define and push forward our unique opportunities for innovation and leadership.”

Members of the council include:

• Ash Awad, VP Energy Systems, McKinstry
• Kimberly Harris, EVP & Chief Resource Officer, Puget Sound Energy
• Jeremy Jaech, CEO, Verdiem
• Bert Gregory, CEO, Mithun
• Michael Atkinson, Managing Director, Americas & China, AREVA T&D Inc
• Ernesta Ballard, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Weyerhaeuser
• Peter Brehm, VP Business Development & Government Relations, Infinia Corporation
• Roger Woodworth, VP, Avista Corp & VP, Customer Solutions, Avista Utilities
• Margaret McCormick, General Manager, Bio-Based Materials, Targeted Growth, Inc
• Bart Phillips, President, Columbia River Economic Development Council
• Lee Cheatham, Executive Director, Washington Technology Center
• Kim Zentz, Executive Director, SIRTI
• John Gardner, Vice President for Economic Development, WSU
• Marc Cummings, Director of Policy & External Affairs, PNNL
• Michael Butler, CEO, Cascadia Capital
• David Benson, Stoel Rives LLP
• Senator Phil Rockefeller
• Senator Jerome Delvin
• Representative John McCoy
• Representative Shelly Short
• Rogers Weed, Washington State Department of Commerce Director
• Keith Phillips, Executive Policy Advisor, Governor Christine Gregoire’s Office
• Egils Milbergs, Executive Director, Washington Economic Development Council

SB 5921 also asks the Department of Commerce to consider the clean energy strategy when preparing its application for federal state energy program funding, as well as determining the type and number of projects to fund. Commerce is also asked to consult the council prior to awarding federal energy stimulus funding for clean energy projects.