Clean & Prosperous Institute (CaPI) analysis indicates that Washingtonians spent over $24 billion on energy in 2015 – down from nearly $28 billion in 2014 – with nearly 60% ($13 billion) spent on wasted energy. Efficiency gains are an opportunity to generate immediate economic benefit and foster a clean technology boom.
Clean & Prosperous Washington
Innovation and Economic Opportunity
Appendix: Wasted Energy additional details
Section 1: Updating the Sankey diagram
Sankey Diagrams, like those produced by LLNL, are an information-rich visual depiction of energy or other (e.g. carbon, money) flows from inputs to final use.
Section 2: Carbon content of wasted energy
CaPI analysis estimates around 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) associated with wasted energy in 2015.
California Reaches Climate Change Mitigation Goal Ahead of Schedule
Former Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed California’s landmark AB 32 climate legislation in 2006, celebrated beating the target with remarks published in the San Francisco Chronicle: “Surpassing our 2020 emissions goal ahead of schedule while our economy grows by a nation-leading 4.9 percent and our unemployment rate is at a historic low should send a message to politicians all over the country: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just copy us. Business will boom and lives will be saved.”
Climate Change Creates Risk & Opportunity for WA Business
“We don’t need an energy miracle” to effectively address climate change. That was the message a speaker from the Risky Business Project shared with Washington State business leaders earlier this month. Their new research identifies cost-competitive, low-carbon energy sources and technologies that already exist and will become cheaper over the coming decades.
Data Viz: Carbon Competitiveness
WHAT IT IS
The ratio of GDP to CO2 emissions. Increasing carbon competitiveness means reducing the carbon intensity of our economy. Metric tons of CO2 equivalent emitted per million dollars of GDP generated. GDP expressed as real state GDP in chained 2005 dollars.
WHY IT MATTERS
Extracting greater economic value from each unit of carbon emission positions us strongly to compete in the low carbon economy of the future.
WA CURRENT STANDING
6th out of 50 states (2013).
Creating a Market for Cross-Laminated Timber
Progress in creating a regional and national market for cross laminated timber (CLT), an innovative building material rich in economic and environmental potential, was celebrated at a gathering of industry, design, academic, environmental and political leaders in Seattle on Nov. 1.
Composite Recycling Facility Hits New Milestone
Earlier this month a new agreement was announced between the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), the Tennessee-based national composites manufacturing institute, and Peninsula College. The CRTC is a prime model that aligns with PLAN Washington’s strategies to support economic growth in rural communities and innovative environmental solutions. Composite recycling supports workforce development in Washington State and the growth of the advanced manufacturing industry.
Proposed “Timber Innovation Act” Boosts R&D for Tall Wood Buildings
There’s new legislation in both chambers of the U.S. Congress that would boost R&D for tall wood buildings. If passed, the Timber Innovation Act could be a game changer for Washington State’s mass timber industry. The bipartisan legislation would open up new markets and create jobs for rural economies by providing research funding, technical assistance, and lower costs for the construction of tall wood buildings throughout the United States.
Washington State’s Mass Timber Opportunity
Four major challenges facing Washington State might be linked by a common solution: an urban planning revolution towards tall wood buildings.
Washington Industries Highlighted at Congressional Hearing on Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing plays a critical role in the U.S. economy and national defense, supporting more than 12 million jobs and $2 trillion in the economy. But, in the last decade, we have lost more than 6 million manufacturing jobs. By investing in advanced manufacturing, we can harness science and engineering technology to make U.S. manufacturing more competitive. Sen. Cantwell highlighted investments that Boeing is making in U.S. advanced manufacturing around the new 777x wing, now manufactured in the state of Washington.