July 16, 2015: Brian Young: “Developing the Energy Sector of the Jefferson Co. Economy”

“Developing the Energy Sector of the Jefferson County Economy” Brian Young, Governor’s Clean Technology Sector Lead Washington State Department of Commerce, Seattle WA Thursday, July 16th at 12:30 PM • Clubhouse of the Port Townsend Yacht Club The top priority of the Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program – to encourage and support the development of the “energy sector” of the Jefferson County economy – is generally well aligned with Governor Jay Inslee’s top priority – to create an economic climate where innovation and entrepreneurship can continue to thrive and create good-paying jobs in every corner of Washington State. This alignment of priorities is best seen in the active support the governor is providing through the Department of Commerce to the state “Clean Technology Industry.” The energy sector of the county economy includes (i) large energy operations: at the paper mill, across many county farms, by the new public power utility, and of numerous solar installations/installers; (ii) new energy programs: in electric vehicles (and vessels), for green electricity/green fuels, and in energy education, and (iii) a number of smaller energy projects: in biochar, greenhouse energy, wind assessment, biodigester development, and other areas. In Jefferson County the Clean Technology Industry includes (or directly affects) this energy sector; throughout the state of Washington it employs nearly 57,000 workers and is backed by more than a billion dollars in venture capital. Washington State has a big stake in the future of renewable and clean energy so, since energy is fundamental to all economic activity, the governor’s support to the Clean Technology Industry involves helping it to work with a variety of businesses throughout the state to provide technologies and related production processes that improve the environmental and operating performance of these firms. The Key Speaker this month will describe the Washington State effort to support development of this Clean Technology Industry – one of seven key industry sectors now being actively supported by the Inslee Administration, sectors that include aerospace, information and communications, life sciences and health, maritime, military, and cybersecurity. The Key Speaker for the Energy Lunch Program in July is Brian Young, the Governor’s Clean Technology Sector Lead, who will review current Clean Technology Sector activity around the state, describe his role as the Sector Lead for the governor, and provide details on the Washington State Clean Energy Fund that supports development, demonstration, and deployment of clean energy technologies to save energy and reduce energy costs, reduce harmful air emissions, or otherwise increase energy independence for the state. Mr. Young’s Key Speaker presentation is intended for local residents, business leaders, government officials, and local development and energy professionals interested in developing new business activity and jobs in the energy sector of the Jefferson County economy. Local Sponsors of the Jefferson County Energy Lunch Program are Power Trip Energy, Sunshine Propane, Huber’s INN, Alaska Power & Telephone Company, Port of Port Townsend, Frederickson Electric, the Port Townsend Paper Company, and Port Townsend Friends of Energy Lunch. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY […]