A sustainable future

The Evergreen State gets even greener

For Grays Harbor County and all of Washington state, green means something.

Since last August, the Harbor has been home to the largest biodiesel production facility in the nation, and the third largest in the world — to Senate Democrats, this brand of economic development is critical for a sustainable future.

In the past three Legislative sessions, bills have been passed that range from developing minimum renewable fuel content requirements and quality standards for the alternative fuels market, (SB 6508), encouraging the use of clean energy (HB 1303), as well as a measure (HB 2939) that established the Energy Freedom Program at the state Department of Agriculture. That program is aimed at developing a viable bioenergy industry and promoting public research and development in bioenergy sources and related agricultural practices.

Right here at home

The nation’s largest biodiesel plant, Imperium Grays Harbor, began operations in August and will produce about 100 million gallons of biodiesel a year, shipping the product out on rail, ships and trucks. It’s a major step for economic development on the Washington coast — and one that has drawn national and international attention to Washington, a state that Forbes magazine says is one of the best in the nation to do business in. And while the nation’s largest biodiesel plant may be in Washington, there are hundreds of other green fuel production facilities here too, all ranging in size.

While biodiesel has been a staple of European transportation since the early 1990s, it’s finally catching on in the United States due to increasing petroleum prices and the movement to reduce reliability on foreign sources of energy. The biodiesel industry is a huge shot in the arm for Washington, and in particular, the Aberdeen and Hoquiam area.

Faced with the decline of the timber industry in the late 1980s and 1990s, leading to mill closures and layoffs, local legislators, county and city officials have worked hard to attract new and diverse business to the area.

Their work is paying off — from marketing the Port of Grays Harbor as the closest port to Asia and the only coastal deep-water port from northern California to British Columbia, to enhancing rail infrastructure and continuing work to maintain a highly skilled local work force.

And in September of 2007, the Port of Grays Harbor received a state “Innovation Partnership Zone” grant to help continue the development of sustainable industry.

What’s biodiesel?

Biodiesel is non-petroleum fuel that burns clean and is non-toxic and non-flammable, and can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modification, unlike ethanol-based fuels. Made in Grays Harbor from primarily canola oil, biodiesel production is one of the most efficient of all fuels, with very little emissions from the plant and very little waste.

More than 1 million gallons of canola oil used to make the fuel in Grays Harbor comes from a farm in Sunnyside, and work is already underway around the state to increase our canola crop, and attract more green energy producers — keeping important dollars here at home. Senate Democrats continue work to ensure that Washington truly remains The Evergreen State.