State of Washington Archives: on Energy & Oil
Christine Gregoire:
Clean energy: limit global warming; be energy independent
With one of the richest, most diverse and beautiful landscapes in the world, we have an important legacy to protect. The health of our environment must be protected as it is essential to our quality of life and to the strength of our economy.
We need to lead development of a clean energy economy. We need to adopt comprehensive limits on global warming pollution, moving towards energy independence, and developing alternatives to driving.
Source: 2011 Wash. gubernatorial press release, "Initiatives"
Nov 19, 2011
Christine Gregoire:
Reduce foreign oil dependence, utilize WA options
Find and use alternate energy options:- Reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Washington now ranks among the top five states for producing wind power and the top three for manufacturing the equipment to generate solar energy.
- Use public-private
partnerships to encourage clean energy innovation.
- Purchase hybrid and other energy-efficient vehicles as part of the Washington Climate Change Challenge. Washington state agencies have one of the largest fleets of hybrid vehicles in the nation.
Source: 2011 Wash. gubernatorial press release, "Initiatives"
Nov 19, 2011
Christine Gregoire:
Transition Washington state off of coal power
Legislation was signed to phase out coal-fired energy production at the TransAlta power plant in Centralia. Senate Bill 5769 solidifies into law a collaborative agreement to close the state's two coal boilers--the first in
2020 and the second in 2025. The agreement provides a path to cleaner power while allowing the necessary time to provide stability to the electrical grid and to the community in Lewis County.
Source: 2011 Wash. gubernatorial press release #1699
Apr 29, 2011
Jay Inslee:
I cannot consciously accept the dangers of climate change
There is no challenge greater for Washington, with more opportunity for job growth and more suited to our particular brand of genius and ingenuity, than leading the world's clean energy economy. It is clear to me that we are the right state, at the right
time, with the right people. It's also clear to me that we face grave and immediate danger if we fail to act. Nine of 10 of the hottest years on record happened in the past decade. As a parent and a grandparent, I cannot consciously accept the dangers
of climate change for my family or yours. As a Governor, I can't afford to look the other way or point fingers or deny these realities, and I cannot allow our state to miss the moment we are destined for. On climate change, we have settled the scientific
controversy. What remains is how we respond to the challenge. Now I know Washington can't solve this global problem alone, but we must embrace our role as first responders as our children's health is in clear and immediate danger.
Source: 2013 Wash. State of the State Address
Jan 16, 2013
Semi Bird:
Maximize clean nuclear energy & hydroelectricity
We will;- Utilize clean nuclear energy technology to maximize energy independence.
- Establish a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Energy to maximize local energy resources, such as hydroelectricity.li>
Partner with Washington State farmers and ranchers to identify and mitigate regulatory barriers which may compromise generations of commitment to feeding our state and the world at large
Source: 2024 Wash. Governor campaign website BirdForGovernor.com
May 23, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026