Clean, green, competitive Washington

A clean environment and a healthy business climate go hand in hand.

Investments in protecting and cleaning up Washington's environment play a major role in securing Washington's quality of life for families - and strengthening our enviable position in the competitive global economy.

Forbes, the national business and financial news publisher, ranks Washington among the very best states on two national scorecards - quality of the environment and the business climate. As of August 2008, Washington is the only state to score in the top three states in both Forbes rankings.

The Department of Ecology's five strategic priorities play an important role in making this happen. To continue to compete successfully, Washington needs:

• Clean water, air, and soil.
• Healthy people, communities, and work places.
• Adequate natural resources to sustain communities, our economy, transportation, and our work force.
• To be smart in how we use our limited water so there is enough for people, communities, fish, and farms to share – now and in the future. Since 2005, Washington has made historic progress in being water-smart rather than water-short.

By necessity, Ecology and Washington state are leading the way on meeting the challenge and the economic opportunities of global climate change — reducing our region's contribution to the problem and seizing the opportunity to spur growth in new, green technologies, to help build a clean economy, and to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

One of our state's strengths is its natural beauty and resources. Our economic strength is tied to these resources, but could be risked if these assets are not properly protected. Ecology's mission is to help protect the state's environment, human health, and environment.

Many Washington businesses have turned to lean manufacturing techniques to improve their competitiveness. Based on the Toyota Production System, lean identifies and eliminates wastes and non-value-added activities. Aerospace manufacturers, cabinet-builders, hospitals, and shipbuilders are using lean to lower costs, improve quality, and reduce lead times. Other businesses have enlisted Ecology's engineering efficiency experts to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and save money.

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More News:

• Commencement Bay effort benefits environment and economy (12/08/08)
• Gov. Gregoire's statement on Washington’s New Economy & competitiveness rankings (11/21/08)
• Shell-Ecology multi-site cleanup agreement is state's first (11/18/08)
• Water rights plan benefits growth, fish habitat (pdf), The Camas-Washougal Post-Record (11/04/08)
• Camas, state reach water agreement, The Columbian (10/29/08)
• Camas receives new water rights (10/29/08)
• Energy policies score well (10/07/08)
• New power source eliminates diesel fumes from CRC plant (10/06/08)
• Ecology conference focuses on turning contaminated sites into community success stories (10/03/08)
• Gov. Gregoire signs Energy Independence Pledge (10/02/08)
• $46 million in Columbia River grants (9/25/08)
• New water releases from Grand Coulee (9/25/08)
• WCI recommendations addressing climate change issues (9/23/08)

Related Ecology Links

Ecology Budget Snapshot, 2005-2009

Beyond Waste progress report: Economic, environmental, and social vitality

Economics of Puget Sound

Redeveloping contaminated sites

Economic risks of Hanford nuclear waste

Value of managing our water

Economics of Columbia Basin water projects:

• Finding Water Supplies for Eastern Washington
• Delivering water for Columbia River irrigators, communities and endangered salmon

Smart investments in Washington's economy and environment

Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices

Other Related Links

Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA) - helps with environmental permitting, business licensing, and improving regulatory processes.

Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University

Transforming Farmland Into Wetland and 725 Jobs, The Chronicle online, Sept. 30, 2008