For Immediate Release:

Thursday, July 9, 2009

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement applauding the potential of new clean energy jobs at the proposed Teanaway Solar Reserve project. The Teanaway Solar Reserve would be the largest photovoltaic solar park in the United States. The park would be located in the Teanaway Valley in the Cle Elum area of Kittitas County.

“This project is more than just an energy creator, it’s a jobs creator. The proposed Teanaway Solar Reserve would create hundreds of new jobs from the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in Kittitas County.

“With our state’s unemployment rate at over 9 percent, it’s more important than ever that we work to attract investments that will create clean energy jobs. Bringing more clean energy jobs to our state will provide laid-off workers and young people the chance to find family-wage positions that are built for the 21st Century economy.

“I applaud the project’s sponsors for recognizing that Washington state has the workforce and natural resources to be an ideal home to this groundbreaking facility. I will also continue to work to support investments that bring clean energy jobs to our state in order to get workers back on the job and our economy back on track.”

GRANT FUNDING TO HELP TRAIN WORKERS FOR CLEAN ENERGY JOBS NOW AVAILABLE

Senator Murray has been a leading voice in the Senate and Washington state on the need to create employment opportunities for workers in emerging clean energy industries like the solar power industry. In January, Senator Murray introduced legislation designed to help unemployed and young workers get the training and experience needed to get jobs in emerging clean energy fields. Portions of Senator Murray’s legislation were ultimately incorporated into the Economic Recovery Act and as a result grant funding is now available to Washington state community colleges, workforce boards, labor groups and businesses to help train workers for these fields. This funding could help Washington state residents get the skills they need to find jobs at projects like the Teanaway Solar Reserve.

“Our state is well positioned to take the lead in our country’s clean energy future,” said Senator Murray. “But we need trained workers to get the ball rolling. This funding will help provide the skills and training our unemployed workers need to get back into the workforce and give the next generation  the skills they’ll need for 21st Century careers. This is seed money for family-wage jobs and economic growth in our state.”