AWB Urges Gregoire to Oppose Initiative 937’s Energy Portfolio Mandates
AWB has asked Gov. Gregoire to oppose Initiative 937, which would force our region’s utilities generate 15 percent of their power from “renewable” sources, including solar, biomass and wind by 2020. AWB has long supported alternative energy sources but is actively opposing I-937 because it would raise our electric rates and severely restrict energy generation options in the future. 

AWB Announces Automatic Endorsements for Legislature
AWB has endorsed nine senators and 34 representatives for re-election to the Legislature in November. To qualify for an automatic endorsement, an incumbent must receive a score of 80 percent or higher in AWB’s annual voting record for the biennium. For a full endorsement list, see www.awb.org/cgi-bin/absolutenm/templates/?a=1281&z=2.

Climate Change Subcommittee Meeting Aug. 24 – Possible Legislation to Be Discussed
AWB’s Energy and Air Quality Committees have jointly formed a subcommittee on climate change which will review current policies and possible legislation related to climate change. The subcommittee will meet on Aug. 24. Contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

2006 Northwest Environmental Summit– A Great Event Not to Be Missed!
AWB, the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) and the Washington Dept. of Ecology will bring our state’s most comprehensive environmental conference to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on Oct. 18-19. Register at www.envsummit.com. Contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Dept. of Revenue Changes Tax Due Dates, Lessens Penalties
Beginning on Aug. 1, the due date for monthly excise tax returns to the 25th of each month from the 20th and moves the deadline for paying taxes by debit electronic funds transfer from 5 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the due date. For more information, call (800) 647-7706 or visit http://dor.wa.gov/content/home/TaxTopics/Penalties.aspx.

Dept. of Ecology Announces Phase I Electronic Product Recycling Rule
DOE has filed a draft rule on electronic products recycling requiring manufacturers of electronic products to embed the costs of recycling programs in the price of their products. Comments on the first phase, focusing on registration requirements and fees paid by manufacturers, are due Sept. 7. See www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/rulDev.html. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

AWB CompWise Retail/Wholesale/Service Retro Group Receives more than $3 Million Refund
Members of AWB’s retail/wholesale/service retro group will receive more than $3 million for their efforts in maintaining a safe workplace and reducing workers’ comp. costs. Refund checks will be available in September. To find out how to reduce your workers’ comp. costs by enrolling in the AWB CompWise program, see www.awb.org/programs/workerscompreview.htm, or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Environmental Excellence Awards Coming in October – Deadline for Nominations: Sept. 9
AWB’s Environmental Excellence Awards will be presented Oct. 19. Deadline for nominations: Sept. 9. For nomination forms, visit www.envsummit.com. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Project Vote Smart and Contract Loggers on Next Washington Business Weekly – On the Air and Online at www.awb.org  
We’ll talk with Project Vote Smart, a unique bipartisan voter education effort, and discuss the contract logging industry on the next Washington Business Weekly, Thursday on Tacoma’s KLAY-AM 1180, 11 a.m.-12 noon and Spokane’s KSBN-AM 1230, 5-6 p.m.

Candidate Interviews Coming in August and September – Members are Welcome to Participate
Candidate interviews have been scheduled for the following areas:  Mount Vernon (August 23, 9–11 a.m.); Everett (August 23, 2–4 p.m.); Gig Harbor (August 25, 9–11 a.m.); and Tacoma (August 25, 1–3 p.m.). Want to attend any of these interviews? Contact AWB’s Shannon Garland at (360) 943-1600 or ShannonG@awb.org.

Energy Star Becomes AWB’s Partner on NW Environmental Summit
EPA’s Energy Star has joined the sponsors of this year’s NW Environmental Summit. Energy Star is a voluntary program that helps businesses and individual home owners cut energy costs by analyzing current energy consumption and recommending products and electricity management improvements. A number of AWB members are already participating in the program, which can reduce costs as much as 30 percent. Learn more at www.energystar.gov or contact EPA’s Terra Paley at (206) 553-8293.

Reduce Your Risk of Costly Fines and Penalties of Non-Compliance!
Learn all you need to know about OSHA at the OSHA 10-hour certification course, Sept. 13-14, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Standard fee is $149, but AWB CompWise members get a discounted fee of $119. Register online at www.awb.org/events/seminars/osha10hrcert.asp. Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or JenniferC@awb.org.

Free Small Business Training at Sept. 9 Biz Fair in Renton
The 10th annual Washington Small Business Fair (Sept. 9, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Renton Technical College) is a free, one-stop shopping event for new and existing business owners. See www.bizfair.org. Contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600 or GrantN@awb.org.

Three Little Words: Location, Tradeoff, and Cost - See This Week’s President’s Perspective at www.awb.org

If you would like to unsubscribe to Fast Facts, please contact Members@awb.org