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Monday, September 19, 2005
Gregoire calls for move into biofuels
OLYMPIA -- Washington can become a world leader in biofuels and other non-petroleum energy sources that can ease reliance on foreign oil and help the state's farm economy at the same time, Gov. Christine Gregoire says.
The governor and legislative leaders also announced hearings on what they strongly suspect is gasoline price-gouging.
And Gregoire told a news conference that Washington is reasonably well prepared for an earthquake or other natural disaster but needs to study ways of improving.
The joint House-Senate hearings also will take up this topic. The sessions will be in October, with locations and times to be announced soon.
Gregoire said she has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the oil industry gouged consumers during the recent run-up of prices, particularly after Hurricane Katrina.
Gregoire, who battled Enron's energy pricing as state attorney general, said there appears to be no legitimate reason for Washington pump prices to jump 20 cents a gallon in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Washington is remote from the Gulf Coast, relies on Alaskan crude oil and has refineries, she noted.
The Legislature may well want to pass anti-gouging legislation to protect against a recurrence, she said.
In the longer term, she said, the state should get serious about developing its potential for producing ethanol and other biofuels from Washington-grown grains.
"It improves our energy independence and keeps our petrodollars in Washington," the governor said.
"It creates new jobs in the state, reduces pollution and reduces other environmental problems and risks, and it helps farmers maintain the profitability of their farms."
Dependence on oil is crippling Washington's farmers, she said.
Gregoire said she has been talking with biofuel companies about setting up shop in Washington, primarily in the eastern part of the state. She gave no specifics.
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