CleanTech day in Olympia 2019 was a huge success!
Thanks again to our sponsors, Boeing and Snohomish County PUD, and to all our attendees. We had a packed room with nearly a hundred advocates.
Governor Jay Inslee kicked off CleanTech Day by speaking to us about the role that cleantech innovators are playing in combating climate change. We were also happy to hear the Governor emphasize the importance of the Clean Energy Fund, and the role it will have in driving a paradigm shift in innovation. The Governor advocated a broad cleantech agenda including legislation that would provide for cleaner fuels.
Our members met with nearly 30 legislators from all over the state, and made their voices heard on how important cleantech is to the future of our state and the globe
Of prime importance was telling the story of our State’s Clean Energy Fund. The CEF has been approved by the legislature three times in the state’s capital budget and Governor Inslee has asked for another $60 million in the 2019 legislative session.
The Clean Energy Fund has had a dramatic impact. The $122 million that have been authorized to date have been made more impactful through a competitive approval process—and the requirement for matching funds. As a result, our state is a leader in providing clean energy loans, research & development, and demonstration projects that have had an impact on modernizing the electricity grid.
With recent polls confirming that the number of Americans concerned about climate change and its effects on their daily lives are growing by leaps and bounds, it’s clear that we need cleantech innovation and government support for sustainable solutions now more than ever.
So, thank you again to all our members. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we look forward to doing it all again in 2020!