Lt. governor previews Basin energy discussion
Lt. governor previews Basin energy discussion
Mulliken bids farewell at committee dinner
MOSES LAKE — When the state's lieutenant governor took the stage Wednesday evening, he talked about some of the lesser known industries the state trades in.
Lt. Governor Brad Owen discussed the state's status as the largest producer of bassoon reeds and production of drones which fly and scout areas unsafe for humans to venture, in development for military and mineral-finding purposes.
"When you look at it, Washington state has all these incredible industries and businesses out there that you wouldn't think about," Owen said.
Owen spoke before representatives from around the county at Big Bend Community College's ATEC Building as part of the preliminary dinner before the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.
Owen chairs the committee, and credited Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Moses Lake, for the meeting's location in the area.
"We're here to recognize and look at the great things that are happening in the Grant County area from an economic development perspective, particularly which is being done with renewable energy resources," he said.
Owen provided those in attendance at the dinner with a preview of the topics up for discussion by the committee, such as a tour Thursday morning of some of the different energy technology providers around the region and a panel discussion scheduled for Thursday afternoon back at ATEC.
The committee plans to hear from experts on biofuel, solar energy, wind farm energy, liquefied natural gas and modern hydropower technologies. The meeting convenes at 1:30 p.m. at the ATEC Building, Room C and D.
Owen addressed efforts locally toward economic development, saying the area is doing a tremendous job to develop new opportunities.
"Grant County is clearly an exciting place to be," he said. "There's lots of growth in Moses Lake and the surrounding area, and there's huge potential here."
The evening also served as the final day for Mulliken as a state Senator. Earlier this year Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed her to serve on the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board.
Longtime Mulliken Legislative Assistant Kyle Lynch presented his outgoing boss with a gift and said a few words about her, crediting her with making him a better employee, citizen, husband and father.
"You've shown class in the face of cynicism, steadfastness in the face of adversity, and behind the scenes, in the good times and the rough times, you've shown me grace under fire," Lynch said. "More than I ever thought possible from another human being."
Following Lynch's presentation, Mulliken told the audience she was privileged to be one of the few people in the state to serve in the legislature. She plans to work at home in Moses Lake, she said, in her new capacity on the state growth board.
"I hope that I will spend the rest of my life serving not just our local community, but taking a message to our children, to schools, our grandkids, that we don't want to lose the civic balance we have in our state Legislature, along with the executive and judicial branches," Mulliken said, before walking off the ATEC stage to a standing ovation.
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