Governor Jay Inslee recently visited Moses Lake to gather information on how the state can support local technology companies. During his visit, he asked specific questions about the availability of silane and the need for process control specialists to manage the chemical production processes required for new technologies. Inslee highlighted the need for infrastructure investment, tax breaks, and incentives to build homes and apartments for workers to support the growth of these companies. He also shared his idea for the state to issue $4 billion in bonds to build 20,000 housing units statewide. Inslee emphasized the state’s commitment to dealing with Washington’s housing crisis this legislative session. Despite the challenges, Inslee remains optimistic about the future of the companies involved in the roundtable discussions and the growing demand for clean energy.
During his recent visit to Moses Lake, Governor Jay Inslee asked local technology companies how the state can support their growth. He was impressed with the innovations being developed by companies working in aviation and advanced battery technology. The governor described Moses Lake as the new Cape Canaveral, which he said was not an overstatement.
Two major battery startups have committed to producing silicon-based components for the next generation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and recent tests of all-electric aircraft have also impressed the governor. Inslee stated that much of the research, testing, and development in Moses Lake is equivalent to the science and technology work during the Cold War and the Space Race in the 1960s.
However, like the Space Race, the governor believes that significant state support is necessary for these new technologies to flourish. He believes infrastructure investment, tax breaks, and incentives to build homes and apartments for workers are essential.
One of the challenges for companies like Sila Nanotechnologies, which has bought a large facility in Moses Lake, is ensuring that there is enough electricity, an educated workforce, and housing for up to 1,000 new workers and their families. Sila Nanotechnologies is converting the facility to make silicon anodes for the next generation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
Rick Luebbe, co-founder and CEO of Group14, based in Woodinville, stated that the most critical jobs his company will need to fill in Moses Lake involve process control, overseeing and managing the chemical production processes. These technical roles are high paying and could benefit from partnerships between companies and governments.
The new technologies being developed in Moses Lake are promising, and the state of Washington must support their growth to ensure their success.
Governor Jay Inslee Visits Moses Lake To Gather Information
Governor Jay Inslee recently visited Moses Lake to meet with local technology companies and gather information on how the state can support their growth. During his visit, Inslee asked a specific question of REC Silicon CEO and President Kurt Levens about the availability of silane for local companies like Sila and Group14. Levens assured the governor that REC Silicon would have silane capacity available, and that other companies should not be building silane capacity when REC Silicon is the largest silane producer outside of China.
Inslee expressed his commitment to help these companies with everything from tax breaks to funding sources for research to infrastructure investment. He also shared his idea for the state to issue $4 billion in bonds to build 20,000 housing units statewide to address Washington’s housing crisis.
During a roundtable discussion at Grant County International Airport, Inslee praised the innovations being developed by companies working in aviation and advanced battery technology in Moses Lake. He described the region as the new Cape Canaveral and emphasized that state support is essential for these new technologies to flourish.
At Big Bend Community College, Inslee noted that government actions mandating clean and renewable energy have helped create a market for the products companies like Eviation, electric airplane motor maker MagniX, Group 14, and Sila are working to make. The governor also highlighted the need for process control specialists to manage the chemical production processes required for these new technologies.
Inslee acknowledged that the need for housing is one of the greatest demands and emphasized the state legislature’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis this legislative session. He believes that infrastructure investment, tax breaks, and incentives to build homes and apartments for workers are essential to supporting the growth of these companies.
Levens cautioned that increasing production capacity at REC Silicon’s Moses Lake facility will take time and could take up to 36 to 48 months. Despite the challenges, Inslee remains optimistic about the future of the companies involved in the roundtable discussions and the growing demand for clean energy.
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