washington business
Researchers shared how the facility will work to scale up hydrogen technology and create a hydrogen supply chain . Washington state is also pursuing hydrogen fuel as a clean energy source .
Steve Ashby , director of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , discussed PNNL ’ s efforts to modernize the U . S . electric grid , closely interconnected with Canada ’ s grid . The lab ’ s newly opened Grid Storage Launchpad in the Tri-Cities will work to advance battery storage , helping meet energy demand and incorporate more renewable energy onto the grid .
Energy is a major source of trade between Washington and Canada , accounting for 10 % of Washington ’ s exports to Canada and 52 % of Canadian goods imported to Washington .
The U . S . and Canada collaboratively manage the Columbia River ’ s hydroelectric dams , a key energy generator , through the Columbia River Treaty ( see the full story on page 36 ).
“ B . C . is our most important partner when it comes to hydropower in the Pacific Northwest ,” said state . Rep . Alex Ybarra , R-Quincy , one of four state lawmakers on the trade mission .
Lt . Gov . Denny Heck led a discussion with B . C . Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon on addressing high housing costs . Like Washington , B . C . has taken steps to invest in affordable housing and boost housing supply .
“ Washington has a long history of partnership with British Columbia , particularly on developing best practices to ensure housing affordability and availability for all our communities ,” Heck said in a post on the social media site X .
Brad Rew , president of Gale Rew Construction , a Richland homebuilder , was impressed with B . C .’ s solutions to the housing crisis .
“ I think the main benefits of the trade mission are we are actually able to accomplish things through networking ,” he said . “ There ’ s a lot of energy and a lot of positivity .”
Amazon and Microsoft are two Washington companies that have expanded their Vancouver , B . C . workforce since the pandemic . Amazon is up to 10,000 employees with a new downtown campus that occupies a full city block . The delegation toured the new facility , called The Post , housed in a former Canada Post processing facility .
‘ mutually beneficial ’
The trade mission ended in the Canadian capital of Ottawa for a tour of Parliament and reception at the official residence of the U . S . ambassador to Canada , David L . Cohen .
The AWB group met with Global Affairs Canada leaders to discuss the benefits of the USMCA , artificial intelligence , and other topics .
“ Both countries continue to work on aspects of the ( USMCA ) that can be modified or modernized as we move into reauthorization ” in 2026 , said AWB ’ s lead on federal affairs , Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson .
Keller , with the Port of Tacoma , said she enjoyed spending time with Washington businesses and finding ways to support them . She also appreciated the feeling of unity among the partners of the USMCA .
She said Washington ’ s offer to supply grapes to B . C . wineries impacted by January ’ s freeze shows the benefits of positive trade relations .
“ There ’ s a perfect example ,” Keller said , “ of how countries need to work with each other and help each other out where it ’ s mutually beneficial .”
“ I think the main benefits of the trade mission are we are actually able to accomplish things through networking . There ’ s a lot of energy and a lot of positivity .”
— Brad Rew , president of Gale Rew Construction , a Richland homebuilder
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