Centralia Chronicle – Last week U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced a bipartisan bill that aimed to boost hydroelectric power across the nation, which along with cheap, clean power, would also bring new jobs.
The Hydropower Improvement Act would increase the supply of hydropower in the United States and the number of jobs in an industry that already employs more than 300,000 workers.
Support of the act was led by Sen. Cantwell, who is the chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. The other sponsor is Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska (the Energy and Natural Resources Committee ranking member), along with cosponsorship by seven other senators, including Washington Sen. Patty Murray.
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
