Washington Business Winter 2020 | Washington Business | Seite 25

what’s working
“We will be at the table, but I can tell
you right now, I’m not liking the look of
the table. We need engagement from
our members.”
Other efforts are working to ratchet down the state’s carbon reduction
goals. Godlewski said the proposed numbers are simply unattainable — the
equivalent of taking every gasoline- and diesel-powered car and truck off the
roads by 2030.
“These are extremely steep drops,” Godlewski said.
Plastic packaging is another issue. AWB advocates completion of a 2019
— Bob Battles, government affairs director
study before further legislative bans.
for employment law
On the water side, water rights transfers are under examination by the
Legislature, and drought relief is an issue, especially on the east side of the state.
Natural gas is being restricted in several cities, and AWB is responding by
helping tell the story of how natural gas supports residential, commercial and industrial uses.
“There’s just no broadly available and affordable alternative” for residential and commercial use,
Godlewski said. “On the industrial side you need natural gas to perform metal refining and smelting. You
can’t recycle aluminum without the use of natural gas to melt it down and re-use it.”
These are a few of the many issues AWB is watching, with more to come as the election approaches — and
especially when the longer 2021 legislative session convenes.
“If these programs affect you, then help us. Get involved,” Chandler said. “It’s way better for us to testify
if we have four or five members next to us, talking about the impact state policy has on their business.”
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