A new public-private collaboration in Washington state will focus on renewable power research and job creation.
Building on its expanding wind and solar power industry, Kittitas County is
joining with Central Washington University, the Economic Development Group of
Kittitas County, Puget Sound Energy and enXco to create a broad public-private
partnership focused on renewable power research and job growth.
Called the Central Washington Resource Energy Collaborative, the new
organization has applied for state designation as an Innovation Partnership
Zone. The designation would open the way for future state support of the
Collaborative.
Together, the partners have committed a total of $1.2 million in financial
support and in-kind services over the next three years.
In addition to
recruiting renewable-power projects, the contributions will support hiring an
executive director and constructing a building to house the collaborative`s
offices on county land at the Bowers Field Airport industrial park.
Kittitas County has four wind farms and three solar facilities in various stages
of planning and production. PSE`s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility is already
operating, and enXco`s Desert Claim Wind Power project is in the final stages of
consideration by the state.
"Led by the collaborative, we have a unique opportunity to build renewable power
into a leading economic engine for the county and state," said Kittitas County
Commissioner Paul Jewell, who has led the county`s effort to form the
collaborative. "All of the partners are fully committed to this initiative, and
we believe the state will welcome our effort."
The collaborative brings together both public and private sector partners,
including PSE, the nation`s second-largest utility owner and operator of wind
power facilities. PSE`s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg
entered service in 2006 with 127 wind turbines, and is now expanding with an
additional 22 wind turbines slated to become operational by the end of 2009. The
facility also includes one of the region`s largest solar arrays.
"PSE`s experience at Wild Horse is evidence that the jobs, new tax revenues and
opportunities from wind and solar power benefit the community and Washington
state," said Bert Valdman, chief operating officer and executive vice president
for PSE. "The Innovation Partnership Zone will build on this track record and
help Kittitas County remain a leader in renewable energy."
Innovation Partnership Zones are designated by the director of the state
Department of Commerce. They are designed to stimulate industry clusters of
growth within specific geographic areas, much like a research park. Eleven now
exist in the state. The dea
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