Washington State Senate Democrats: Brian Hatfield

Sen. Hatfield joins river governance committee and joint committee on municipal government

Senate Democrats — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT

OLYMPIA - A pair of committees dealing with issues concerning northwest rivers and Washington municipal government will gain a voice from the 19^th Legislative District.

Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, has been appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Junior Taxing Districts, Municipal Corporations and Local Government Finance and the Council of State Government's Legislative Council on River Governance.

“These committees cover aspects of life that have a huge impact on southwest Washington,” said Hatfield, chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee. “I am pleased and proud to ensure that the best interests of the 19^th District are represented and that the voices of my constituents are heard.”

The Legislative Council on River Governance includes representatives from the legislatures of Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana, who meet to discuss and learn about common issues and experiences in dealing with the waterways of the Northwest.

“Water management, salmon issues and court decisions involving river governance are all discussed at the annual meeting of this committee,” said Hatfield. “As the southern border of the 19^th District is formed by the waters of the Columbia River, I see a strong advantage to my being a part of those meetings.”

The Joint Select Committee on Junior Taxing Districts, Municipal Corporations and Local Government Finance was created as part of Washington’s supplemental budget. Made up of four members of the House and four members of the Senate, the committee will be charged with three tasks:

· Examining the consolidation of junior taxing districts into general purpose government.

· Examining new revenue options for local government.

· Reviewing the impact of the passage of Initiative 1183 on public safety and provide a sustainable plan for the use and disbursement of excess liquor revenues.

“The goal of this committee is to work in a bipartisan manner to help improve efficiency in municipal government,” said Hatfield. “I believe that by using the best methods available, state and local governments can continue to provide valuable services while at the same time, saving money for those municipalities.”

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Brian Hatfield, 360-786-7636

RADIO – Sen. Hatfield discusses 2012 session on Aberdeen radio

Senate Democrats — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:32:00 GMT

Sen. Brian Hatfield joined Pat Anderson and Darwin Sharrah on "Live at Nine" on KXRO 1320 AM/101.7 FM on Tuesday to discuss the 2012 legislative session.

19th District legislators to hold tele-town hall meeting

Senate Democrats — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:53:00 GMT

OLYMPIA - Residents of the 19^th Legislative District will soon have the chance to ask their legislative members questions without leaving their homes.

On the evening of April 17^th, Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, and Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, will take part in a telephone town hall meeting. Residents of the district will receive a phone call at or around 6 p.m., asking if they would like to participate in the live event. Those who do will have the chance to join thousands of their fellow constituents in directly asking the members questions or sharing concerns they have for the 19^th District and the state.

Constituents who do not receive a phone call, may participate in the meeting simply by calling 1-877-229-8493 and entering the ID code (PIN) number 18646 when prompted.

WHO: Sen. Brian Hatfield, Rep. Dean Takko and Rep. Brian Blake

WHAT: 19^th Legislative District Telephone Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: April 17 starting at 6 p.m.

HOW: Participants should receive a phone call inviting them to take part at around 6 p.m. Anyone who does not receive a call may participate by calling 1-877-229-8493 and enter the PIN number 18646 when prompted.

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Caucus Communications, 360-786-7535; Lilia Nieto, House Democratic Caucus Communications, 360-786-7375; Clint Robbins, House Democratic Caucus Communications, 360-786-7323

For interviews: Sen. Brian Hatfield, 360-786-7636; Rep. Dean Takko, 360-786-7806; Rep. Brian Blake, 360-786-7870

Coastal senators issue joint statement on partial veto of SB 6263

Senate Democrats — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:38:00 GMT

OLYMPIA – Sens. Brian Hatfield and Jim Hargrove released the following statement today on the governor's decision to veto two sections of Senate Bill 6263, which would have created a statute for the existence of a Coastal Advisory Council:

"I was disappointed at the governor's decision to veto a section of Senate Bill 6263 which required the formation of the Washington State Coastal Solutions Council.

“The continued existence of a council made up of local government, tribal officials and marine business representatives is critical to the continued conversations between the Department of Ecology, the governor’s office and those who live and work in marine communities. Without the certainty of the statute, the advisory council can be ignored by the departments, leaving those communities without a place at the table.

“This is a bill created and designed to facilitate marine management planning. In order to end up with the best plan, it is important that all voices are heard and I intend on continuing to work toward that end.”

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Jim Hargrove, 360-786-7646 and Sen. Brian Hatfield, 360-786-7636

VIDEO – Sen. Hatfield discusses Roadkill, Legacy Biomass on TVW

Senate Democrats — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Governor signs Legacy Biomass bill into law

Senate Democrats — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:30:00 GMT

OLYMPIA - Hundreds of rural jobs in Washington will be preserved and new sources of renewable energy will be recognized under a bill signed today by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

In signing Senate Bill 5575, the governor approved a law loosening the regulations of Initiative 937, which will now include new sources of biomass energy and allow biomass facilities in operation before 1999 to qualify as eligible for renewable energy credits.

“Rural jobs in Washington and the environment were well served today,” said Sen. Brian Hatfield, who sponsored the bill and has long advocated for its principal goals. “Without this bill, hundreds of jobs would have been threatened in communities where double-digit unemployment has been a problem for years.”

Initiative 937 was passed in 2006. Dubbed the Renewable Energy Initiative, it required public utility districts with 25,000 or more customers to meet targets for energy conservation and to use eligible renewable energy resources, either by acquiring eligible renewable resources for energy production or purchasing renewable energy credits. However, the initiative applied only to facilities constructed after March 31, 1999; facilities built before that date have been unable to sell the biomass energy generated in their power plants as renewable energy, putting them at a significant disadvantage and threatening the livelihoods of the hundreds of workers across the state. SB 5575 makes biomass facilities operating before that eligible, provided they are owned or directly interconnected to a qualifying utility.

“That date was THE critical point for the family wage jobs that might have been lost were it not for this bill,” said Hatfield. “March of 1999 was an arbitrary date. There was no science, no studies and no good reason for it to be chosen as a cutoff line that impacted jobs and rural economies.”

In addition to allowing older facilities to qualify for renewable energy credits, SB 5575 also adds organic by-products of pulping and the wood manufacturing process, known as black liquor, to the definition of biomass. Along with black liquor, liquors derived from algae and other sources, yard waste, food waste and food processing residues qualify as eligible biomass.

“Pulping liquors are recognized as a legitimate biomass product in many states and I am thrilled that Washington is now one of them,” said Hatfield. “I thank the governor for recognizing that the quest for renewable energy is as much about maintaining local economies as it is about helping the environment.”

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Brian Hatfield, 360-786-7636

Legislature approves Legacy Biomass bill

Senate Democrats — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 04:25:00 GMT

OLYMPIA - Rural jobs and environmental quality will both be furthered under a bill approved on Tuesday by the Washington State House of Representatives.

Under Senate Bill 5575, regulations set under Initiative 937 will be softened to include new sources of biomass energy and allow biomass facilities in operation before 1999 to qualify as eligible for renewable energy credits. The bill passed the House on an 89-9 vote, having earlier passed the Senate on a 45-1 vote.

“This is a great day for rural economies in Washington,” said Sen. Brian Hatfield, the bill’s sponsor. “Without this bill, mills that have been in operation for decades and provide hundreds of jobs would have faced an uphill climb to remain open.”

“This bill is going to help preserve the good family-wage jobs we have in our communities and will result in further investments and more jobs in the future,” said Rep. Brian Blake, who chairs the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “This is a good step to help instill confidence in the economy and lead us to energy independence.”

“The Legacy Biomass bill is a great first step in the preservation of hundreds of family wage jobs across the state,” said Rep. Dean Takko, a member of the House Environment Committee. “By recognizing new sources of biomass energy, we recognize the important role that biomass plays for the environment and sustaining jobs in our communities.”

Following the passage of Initiative 937 in 2006, public utility districts with 25,000 or more customers were required to meet targets for energy conservation and to use eligible renewable energy resources, either by acquiring eligible renewable resources for energy production or purchasing renewable energy credits. However, the initiative applied only to facilities constructed after March 31, 1999; facilities built before that date have been unable to sell the biomass energy generated in their power plants as renewable energy, putting them at a significant disadvantage. SB 5575 makes biomass facilities operating before that eligible, provided they are owned or directly interconnected to a qualifying utility.

“Eliminating that 1999 date was a common-sense move. It was an arbitrary date, one that is not worth the jobs it put at risk,” said Hatfield, chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee.

While allowing older facilities to qualify for renewable energy credits, SB 5575 also adds organic by-products of pulping and the wood manufacturing process, known as black liquor, to the definition of biomass.

“Several states consider pulping liquors as renewable, so why not Washington?” asked Hatfield. “I-937 was putting jobs at risk by not recognizing a legitimate biomass product and I am thrilled that lawmakers in both houses and on both sides of the aisle have helped to eliminate that threat to family-wage jobs.”

The bill also adds liquors derived from algae and other sources, yard waste, food waste and food processing residues as eligible biomass.

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For more information: Ian Cope, Senate Democratic Communications, 360-786-7535

For interviews: Sen. Brain Hatfield, 360-786-7636

VIDEO – Beef Day 2012!!!

Senate Democrats — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:54:00 GMT

Legacy Biomass bill clears House committee

Senate Democrats — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:25:00 GMT

OLYMPIA - A bill aimed at protecting rural jobs and the environment moved a step closer to final adoption this week, winning approval today in the House Environment Committee and moving on to the House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 5575 would alter some of the regulations of Initiative 937, adding new sources to the list of eligible biomass products, organic matter used to generate electricity with steam turbines. The bill would also reverse an I-937 rule and allow biomass facilities in operation before 1999 to qualify as eligible for renewable energy credits.

“Once this bill has passed and been signed into law, it will ensure security for hundreds of rural jobs across the state,” said Sen. Brian Hatfield, the bill’s sponsor. “Without the allowances 5575 makes, these mills could not remain competitive.”

Hatfield says not allowing older biomass generators to count toward renewable energy requirements would have been devastating for paper and timber mills in rural Washington that would have been faced with possible closure at the expense of hundreds of family wage jobs.

The bill will also allow organic by-products of pulping and wood products, or black liquor, to count as a biomass fuel.

Hundreds line up for Beef Day 2012

Senate Democrats — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:22:05 GMT

Sen. Brian Hatfield joined hundreds of legislators, staffers and lobbyists for Beef Day 2012. The annual event, put on by the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, features BBQ tri-tip beef sandwiches and the chance to learn about Washington’s cattle industry.

Beef Day Cattle Facts

· There are over 1.1 million cows in Washington state.

· The cattle industry is responsible for over $600 million in annual income for Washington.

· Nearly 20,000 ranchers, both in the beef and dairy industry, make up Washington’s cattle workforce.

· Exports of beef to other countries totaled over $100 million.

· Over 800 million pounds of beef will be produced in Washington in 2012.