Reporter's Notebook

Green jobs in the spotlight

State economists say the private sector in Washington has already created 47,000 green jobs – nothing to sneeze at. But Gov. Gregoire thinks there’s even more room to grow those green-collar jobs.

This week, she announced the Green Jobs and Climate Action legislative package, which aims to create jobs, expand the state’s green economy and move toward energy independence. Sounds good to me, especially in light of announcements this week of more layoffs at Washington business icons Starbucks and Boeing.

Clearly we can’t continue to rely on the same industries to buoy Washington’s economy. The green movement has proven its staying power and Gregoire’s proposed legislation includes $455 million in investments for energy-reducing transportation projects, energy efficiency projects, green buildings and clean-energy technology – which will support about 2,900 jobs in the next two years.

The Maryhill Museum of Art already has jumped on an innovative way to benefit from the green movement. The museum agreed with Windy Point Partners to site 15 wind turbines on the east end of its 5,300 acres in Goldendale. Once the turbines begin producing energy later this year, the relationship is expected to generate more than $100,000 in revenue for the museum annually.

It is believed to be the first wind energy project in the country to generate revenue for a nonprofit museum – well done!

-Megan Patrick-Vaughn can be reached at mpatrick@vbjusa.com

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