Lt. governor's committee talks energy technologies

Business leaders to accompany legislative group on tour

MOSES LAKE — Various forms of energy technology around the area take the spotlight next month.

Hydropower, wind power and biofuels are on the itinerary when state Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen and his legislative committee hit town. A dinner held Nov. 15 in the Big Bend Community College ATEC Building begins at 6 p.m. The next day, Owen and the committee hold a televised panel discussion in the same location.

Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Moses Lake, and a member of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, explained the committee makes three trips within the state to look at issues important to economic development.

"Renewable energy is probably one of the hot topics in state government and has been for the last several years," she said.

Owen accepted Mulliken's invitation to hold the meeting in central Washington. Mulliken pointed to the uniqueness of the Grant County Public Utility District and its fish-friendly turbines, area wind operations and resident solar efforts as reasons to locate the meeting in the area.

Because she also serves on the water, energy and environment committee, the committee's chair and members have been invited as well.

Between the dinner and the panel discussion, Mulliken said, business leaders accompany the lieutenant governor and the committee on a tour around the region, including Wanapum Dam, wind farms in Kittitas County and REC Silicon's site in Moses Lake. Mulliken said the tour educates committee members on renewable energies and the processes to bring them into the area.

"It's a good opportunity to showcase the renewable energy projects in Grant County, as well as for our business leaders to participate in the public process," she said.

The dinner and panel discussion also marks Mulliken's last meeting in capacity as an active state senator before she moves into her new position, to which she was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in June, on the state's Eastern Growth Management Hearings Board.

Mulliken said she is excited the event showcases her district to Owen and her colleagues.

She aims to address concerns from those in western Washington, who she said have been resistant to hydropower.

"One of my hopes is they will come away realizing the importance of all renewable energy, which includes hydro," she said.

She notes solar and wind power are now recognized as environmentally-friendly "green" power by some. Mulliken said she wants attendees to understand water, wind and solar energy are "God-created" natural resources.

"All we have to do is harness that energy and put it into alternative renewable energy," she added.

Melissa Schindler, administrative assistant for the Grant County Economic Development Council, which is setting up the event, said it allows council members and the community to talk to the committees and bring up any issues they have.

"It gives them a chance to see what we have going here in Grant County and what they can do to help further the things that are going on here," Schindler said of the committee.

Dinner is $20 until Nov. 3, and $25 after that date. For information or to register, call Schindler at 509-764-6579 or access the council's Web site at www.grantedc.com.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public.