H-204 _______________________________________________
HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4000
_______________________________________________
Passed Legislature - 1989 Reg.
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Representatives Nelson, Hankins, Rust, Fuhrman, Jesernig, Schoon, Miller and Gallagher
Read first time 1/11/89 and referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.
TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
WHEREAS, The Greenhouse Effect and possibly other biospheric phenomena may require fundamental change in energy production and consumption methods to maintain human well-being; and
WHEREAS, The increasing reliance on foreign oil supplies poses a growing risk to national security and the economy; and
WHEREAS, Energy conservation, or increase in energy use efficiency, is the most economical and productive approach in the near term to mitigate these effects and therefore should be regarded as a prime, but not the only, energy resource; and
WHEREAS, Additional research and development can lead to further energy efficiency improvements; and
WHEREAS, The Hanford Reservation is well-suited geographically and climatologically for research and development of renewable energy resources, especially geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and wind; and
WHEREAS, Nuclear energy, one potential mitigative approach, needs improvements in the areas of public acceptance, waste disposal techniques, and cost-effectiveness of new reactors, and these problems require research and development for resolution; and
WHEREAS, The Hanford heritage is such that there is abundant experience in nuclear and other energy resources research, development, and construction; and
WHEREAS, The wealth of information and experience in energy conservation and renewable energy resources accumulated by the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council and the Bonneville Power Administration would be available to an energy research and development program at Hanford; and
WHEREAS, Extensive laboratory and other facilities have been constructed at Hanford to support past programs and are available to support future programs; and
WHEREAS, Numerous highly trained management, scientific, engineering, and construction tradespeople with commanding knowledge of the energy field reside in the area; and
WHEREAS, Land has been reserved immediately adjacent to Washington public power supply system nuclear plant number 2, and warm water availability from that plant is a condition of certification by the state, and, consequently, a unique opportunity exists at Hanford for research and development of a variety of warm water uses, including farming, food processing, and space heating; and
WHEREAS, Recent and prospective termination of significant facilities at Hanford will make many highly trained and skilled persons of relevant disciplines available for new work in nuclear and other energy areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, Your memorialists respectfully pray that the federal government establish the Hanford National Energy Center on the Hanford Reservation.
BE IT RESOLVED, That this center be given first consideration as a possible site for the location of energy research, development, and production facilities of all types, as may be anticipated or planned by the United States and its states; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.