 |
Experts warn of challenges ahead as electricity demand surges
Spiking demand: Washington and neighboring states face challenges keeping the lights on while meeting electrification mandates, a panel of experts told the Northwest Power and Conservation Council at its monthly meeting last week. The Seattle Times has more.
- The Pacific Northwest will need 4,000 megawatts of new power generation -- about 20% of current output -- to keep pace with demand over the next five years, according to a forecast from 2023.
Powering data centers: Power-hungry data centers have put new demands on the electric grid. In just the last several weeks, there has been 1,600 MW in new energy demand from data centers in the Northwest, the Times reports.
Protecting hydropower: Washington hydroelectric dams will continue to play an integral role in meeting the region's power needs. In a new report, the Capital Press looked at the various impacts if the Snake River dams were removed.
- The four dams have a peak output of 3,033 megawatts - enough to power one-third of homes in the Washington, the outlet reported, and it would take about five to seven years to replace the renewable energy benefits after the dams are breached.
Advice from a former governor: “We worked together. We didn’t fight. And that did the region enormous good,” said former Washington governor Dan Evans at a reception held in his honor at The Evergreen State College after the panel discussion. |
 |
AI strategies for your business and more at AWB's Spring Meeting in Vancouver
Practical tips: At AWB's Spring Meeting on May 8, industry leaders will share their perspective on how businesses can use artificial intelligence, among other timely and important topics: The AI for business panel features:
- Kelly Fukai (moderator), VP of government and community affairs, Washington Technology Industry Association
- Keith McCall, founder and CEO, Pollen Systems Corporation
- Michael Senske, president and CEO of Pearson Packaging Systems
One day left to get a room: The last AWB hotel room block, at the Indigo, closes Tuesday, so book your hotel room now. The day’s events would also be a great fit for people who live within an easy drive of Vancouver.
Join us for the evening: Dinner-only tickets are also now available for the Spring Meeting evening keynote, a bipartisan discussion with two D.C. insiders on the upcoming 2024 presidential and national elections:
- Kate Bedingfield, the principal at KJB LLC and an on-air political commentator for CNN. She most recently served two years as White House communications director under President Biden. Prior to that, she served as deputy campaign manager and communications director on the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign.
- David Urban, the managing director for the BGR Group, and a former chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. Urban was appointed by former President Donald Trump to serve as the 11th Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission and to the Board of Visitors (Trustees) for the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Full schedule: We will also have a bipartisan discussion on civic health, plus insights from business leaders on Vancouver's renaissance, CEO leadership strategies, and more. As usual, AWB's Government Affairs Team will discuss the biggest bills in the 2024 legislative session. See a full agenda here.
Register now: Buy your Spring Meeting tickets now before prices increase on May 1. |
 |
New edition of Washington Business magazine available now
Timeless priorities: A fresh edition of Washington Business magazine has just dropped. The cover story traces 12 decades of AWB's history since its founding in 1904. The story examines how things haven’t really changed much in 120 years of employer advocacy, including:
- From the beginning, AWB sought to be a trusted source of information for employers, setting up a legislative intelligence bureau in Olympia in 1911. In its earliest days, the also association encouraged employers to be informed -- and engage -- with politics
- An important part of our role has been convening. In 1924, AWB organized a conference to bring together businesspeople and farmers -- two groups who had been viewed very differently but learned they had plenty in common.
More stories: A print copy should be on its way to you in the mail, or you can check out the full PDF version or links to individual stories, including:
|
 |
Legislative wrap-up video: tax and fiscal policy highlights
Tax time: There was no shortage of tax and fiscal bills in Washington's 2024 legislative session. AWB Government Affairs Director Emily Shay provides a brief synopsis in this recap video.
- Fortunately, several proposals to increase property and real estate taxes failed to pass, as did controversial gift card legislation, she explains.
Bright spots: There were some successful tax bills that will help Washington businesses expand and stay competitive, including a bill to extend and reinstate tax preferences for semiconductor manufacturing.
Budget breakdown: The Legislature adopted a supplemental operating budget that adds $2.1 billion in new spending. The increase brings the state's 2023-2025 biennial budget to $72 billion -- an increase of 15.8% over the previous biennium.
- "Although we didn't see any tax increases, we still didn't see any tax relief for employers," Shay said.
Full video series: That concludes our 2024 legislative session wrap-up video series. Check out all the recaps from AWB's Government Affairs Team. |
 |
Fish 'n chips, Sea-Tac, Eddie Bauer, and more: fourth decade milestones
Washington born: This month, we're highlighting Washington business milestones between 1934-1943, as we continue to celebrate 120 years of employer advocacy. This decade saw several iconic brands get their start:
- A young outdoorsman from Orcas Island named Eddie Bauer invents the first quilted down parka after nearly dying of hypothermia during a fishing trip to the Olympic Peninsula.
- Ivar Haglund opens Seattle's first aquarium along with a fish and chips counter for hungry patrons. He opens the first "Ivars: Acres of Clams" restaurant in 1946.
Major air hub forms: Construction on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport begins in 1942 to ease wartime pressure on Seattle's Boeing Field and Tacoma's McChord Field. See more milestones from the decade.
Banding together: From the beginning, member companies that made up AWB saw value in coming together to advance their cause, AWB President Kris Johnson writes in his latest newspaper column.
- "Through two world wars, two global pandemics, the Great Depression and Great Recession — and countless advances in technology — our mission and vision has proven remarkably consistent," he said.
|
 |
Help us celebrate Washington's best employers; nominations open through June 30
It's that time again: Nominations are open for AWB's annual awards program, which recognizes employers for innovation and taking care of employees and their communities. We are accepting nominations through June 30. Employers are also encouraged to submit self-nominations.
The 2024 award categories include:
Washington Excellence Awards
Manufacturing Excellence Awards
Who is eligible: The Washington Excellence Awards and Manufacturing Excellence Awards are open to any Washington state company of any size in any industry sector.
- All finalists will be invited to take part in a red-carpet awards gala Nov. 21 at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.
How it works: After the nomination deadline, nominated companies will be invited to submit supporting documentation. A panel of judges will review the submissions, determine the top three nominees, and select the winning company in each category. Winners will be announced at AWB's Evening of Excellence gala this fall.
Become a bus tour stop: AWB features the Manufacturing Excellence Award finalists on our annual Manufacturing Week Bus Tour in October. Nominating your business is the best way to get your shop floor featured on the tour.
Click here for the nomination form. |
|
 |
 |
FEDERAL ISSUES
|
Inflation rises higher than expected in March
Consumer prices climbed 3.5% from a year ago in March, driven by increases in housing, gas, auto insurance and other items, a new report said. This is the third straight month inflation has been hotter than expected, likely delaying rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, the Associated Press reports.
"The lack of moderation in inflation will undermine Fed officials’ confidence that inflation is on a sustainable course back to 2% and likely delays rate cuts to September at the earliest and could push off rate reductions to next year," said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide. |
|
|
|
OTHER NEWS
|
Washington's table-top gaming industry heads to Japan
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will join table-top gaming industry leaders on a trade mission to Japan April 24-29, the Washington State Standard reports.
Founders and creative designers from Flatout Games, Heart of the Deernicorn, Lone Shark Games, Cherry Picked Games and Green Ronin Publishing will join Hobbs on the trip, which will focus on securing sales and distribution agreements.
“Tabletop games have long been a passion of mine,” said Hobbs, an ardent Dungeons and Dragons player. “We’ve got to strike while the iron is hot to help these businesses.” |
New Washington apple needs a name
Want to name Washington's latest apple? Washington State University has launched a naming contest.
"WA 64 is an attractive pink blushed apple with outstanding eating quality, being both firm and tasty," and is a hybrid of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink, known as Pink Lady, WSU said.
Name suggestions with a connection to the university or the state of Washington will be given preference. Winners will receive a charcuterie board engraved with the contest-winning name suggestion, a gift box of WA 64 apples, a 30 oz. can of Cougar Gold Cheese, among other prizes. Entries will be accepted online through May 5. |
|
|
|
AWB EVENTS & RESOURCES
|
 |
Find quality internship candidates with WA Workforce Portal
Free resource: Internship season is coming up soon. Find your ideal internship candidate with the Washington Workforce Portal, a free platform that pairs Washington businesses offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships with high-school and college students seeking real-world work experience.
Making a match: Employers can post internship opportunities and students can post profiles with information on the type of internship they're seeking.
- "It was seamless, it was easy, it was free," said Michelle Wynne, human resources business partner at LifePort. "I was able to search any type of intern in any type of specialty and what their major was. I found quality candidates for our business."
|
 |
Learn best practices in evaluation, discipline and termination
Next webinar: AWB's HR & Employment Webinar Series continues on May 1 with an informative session titled "Navigating Performance Management: Best Practices in Evaluation, Discipline, and Termination."
- The 90-minute course will cover legislative updates, effective evaluation strategies with a focus on continuous improvements, disciplinary action dos and don'ts, and termination considerations.
Get credit: Upon request, attendees can obtain continuing education credits through SHRM or HRCI.
Purchase options: Register for the single webinar here or purchase the on-demand combo, which includes all six webinar recordings, instructor slides, and a wrap-up package that will include all webinar materials, extra information, and sample documents.
Upcoming webinars: Webinars will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesdays through July, and include:
- May 1: Navigating Performance Management: Best Practices in Evaluation, Discipline, and Termination
- June 5: Ensuring Workplace Safety: Navigating Accident Prevention & Investigation Plans
- July 10: Safeguarding Your Business: Navigating Non-Competes, Confidentiality Agreements, Non-Solicitations, and Intellectual Property Protection
|
 |
AWB HealthChoice now available to companies in Clark County
New health benefit option: Clark County businesses and their employees and families now have access to high-quality, affordable health benefits through AWB HealthChoice. LifeWise Health Plan of Washington has teamed up with HealthChoice to provide coverage to Clark County companies.
Statewide coverage: Up until now, AWB HealthChoice plans were not available in Clark County. But now, coverage is truly statewide with LifeWise Health Plan of Washington.
Who can participate: Plans are available for companies with two or more employees in the following industries: manufacturing, agriculture, communications, construction, hospitality, professional services, transportation, technology and retail/wholesale. Coverage is available for a March 1, 2024 effective date.
Get your free quote: For more information and a quote, please contact your insurance producer or Helen Siggins at ProPoint: helens@propointservices.com. |
|
|
 |
THEY SAID IT
|
| "Cost is going to be extreme; the transmission isn’t there. Keeping the lights on in the next coming years is going to be a huge challenge. I am fraught with anxiety." ~ Douglas Grob, a member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, on the region's surging demand for electricity and lack of transmission capability. |
|
|
