Here’s the latest Inslee e-news update

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||

Inslee addresses Biden, Harris on challenges of worsening wildfires

Gov. Jay Inslee joined a bipartisan group of seven Western governors to address President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the challenges states face from increasing wildfires.

Wildfires in Washington to date have burned four times more acreage than normal for this point in the calendar year. Inslee talked about the state’s need for additional aerial assets in fighting wildfires; challenges with getting dozers to fire lines; the need to train more firefighters; and fuel supply issues.

“The thing I worry most about is if, for some reason, the Congress did not follow your leadership in this reconciliation and infrastructure bills that allowed you to realize your vision of creating millions of jobs while fighting climate change,” Inslee said. “That’s my biggest worry right now. Because the fact of the matter is there is nothing in human intervention against these fires while climate continues to ravage our forest.”

A transcript of the public portion of the meeting can be found at the White House website. Video of the meeting can be found on the White House YouTube page.

After the meeting, the governor recorded a video wrapping up what was discussed.

Inslee provides updates on public masking and masks in K-12 schools

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday the state would maintain mandatory masking for K-12 students this fall. At a press conference in Olympia, Inslee also announced the state recommends Washingtonians wear masks in public indoor spaces in communities where there is substantial or high COVID spread, consistent with the latest CDC guidelines.

After months of decline in COVID activity, cases and hospitalizations are surging in Washington and around the country as states lift restrictions while the rate of vaccinations have slowed. According to the state Department of Health, 94% of COVID hospitalizations in Washington are currently among the unvaccinated.

At the same time, the more infectious delta variant of the virus is becoming the dominant strain around the country, including Washington state. COVID vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to prevent severe illness and infection from COVID.

Inslee joins groundbreaking for new fusion energy facility in Everett

Gov. Jay Inslee joined the groundbreaking for Helion Energy’s new fusion energy facility in Everett on Tuesday. Helion plans to use zero-carbon fusion technology to produce energy at commercial scale at the site, bringing in 500 jobs long-term while creating more opportunities for a clean energy future.

“Some call fusion energy ‘the holy grail’ of energy, because it has zero carbon emissions, its production is not hindered by changes in the weather, and it is fueled by the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen,” Inslee said. “I am proud to support Helion Energy and your goal of becoming the first to commercially provide fusion-made carbon-free electricity.”

The governor also recorded a video wrapping up the event.