Inslee to back Hillary Clinton
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of Washington Congressman Jay Inslee, and named him a co-chair of Clinton’s Energy and Environmental Task Force.
“The people of Washington are ready for change, and Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to lead from her first day in the White House,” Inslee said in a statement released by the Clinton campaign.
The announcement came as Inslee unveiled a more aggressive version of his comprehensive clean-energy bill Wednesday.
“The New Apollo Energy Act is as bold as the new technologies popping up around the country,” the Bainbridge Island Democrat said. “American innovators have the creative genius necessary to beat global warming; I’m hopeful Congress has the will.”
First introduced in June 2005, Inslee’s legislation aims to help transition the United States economy from one based on fossil fuels to one based on clean-energy technologies, such as those drawing power from the wind and sun.
Inslee hopes that a national energy shift will make the U.S. a leader in the burgeoning clean-energy sector, create high-wage jobs, improve national security by ending reliance on foreign oil, and reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses.
Earlier drafts of Inslee’s Apollo Energy Act would have set a national cap on carbon-dioxide emissions at year 2000 levels by the year 2020.
The new proposal introduced Wednesday would cut emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
“This bill reflects not only the increased urgency in the fight against global warming, but also the flood of innovative clean-energy technologies we’re seeing today,” he said.
The proposed piece of legislation would also repeal federal subsidies for large oil companies.
Inslee is a member of the House Energy and Commerce and House Natural Resources committees and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. He plans to introduce his new version of the Apollo Energy Act in the House this week, his office said.
Limited lanes on highway
Lane restrictions on a short stretch of State Route 305 near the ferry terminal are scheduled over the next week while the city builds a pedestrian bridge that runs parallel to the highway.
The restrictions allow crews to work safely away from traffic as they build the bridge from Cave Avenue to Vineyard Lane.
The right northbound lane, adjacent to the work zone, closes 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. each weekday, June 20 through June 29. Daytime right-lane closures may occur.
The right-turn lane from SR 305 to Vineyard Lane closes June 20 through June 29. However, drivers will still be able to turn right onto Vineyard Lane.
Between 9 p.m. Thursday, June 28 and 4 a.m. Friday, June 29, crews will close SR 305 between Winslow Way and High School Road. Detour routes are available.
