Well, boo for Governor Inslee hiring a coal lobbyist.
Gov. Jay Inslee has hired a coal lobbyist to direct his policy office, an eyebrow-raising selection for a governor who has insisted on sweeping scrutiny of coal export terminals proposed at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham, and along the Columbia River at Longview.
The new appointee is Matt Steuerwalt, who has been through the revolving door in recent years. He was a top energy/climate adviser to then-Gov. Chris Gregoire, then went to work for the Seattle-based Strategies 360 group.
Of course the policy matters more than the person putting it in place. And later in the piece, his spokespeople make the case that this hire won’t change Inslee’s decision on the coal export terminal. I hope that’s true, but let’s call this a bad sign none the less.
Here’s the part of the post where I mention that you can drop Governor Inslee a line if you’re unhappy with this hire, you can email his office.
This is terrible, but at least I own some coal stocks, so if Inslee makes the wrong decision on coal terminals, I’ll have the consolation of making some money from it.
“While many questions remain on its safety, its durability, and the rules that would guide its implementation, the need to reconcile coal and climate has many people, from executives to activists, giving this technology a careful look.”
Jay Inslee and Bracken Hendricks
Apollo’s Fire, 2008, p. 202
Let The Reconciliation begin.
More Clinton-style triangulation on climate issues. There will be acknowledgment that the problem is real and that action is required. Then will come the qualifications about the need for “balance” and a strong economy, followed by the happy news that “smart” policies will fix everything. Inadequate actions to follow with happy energy companies.
@ 3
I do note that the book @ 2 contains a Foreword by Bill Clinton.
I hope a stronger candidate than Hillary Clinton comes out of the primary process exactly because of the creeping republican legacy of “Clinton-style triangulation”. It never felt like compromise, it felt only like moving to the republican position and getting nothing in return.
Don’t get me wrong, I will vote for Hillary over any republican, but I want a better alternative, a stronger Democrat.