Jason Herbert, Public Affairs, 509-372-5205
Mike Paoli, Public Affairs, 509-713-4950
RICHLAND, Wash. – On Tuesday, Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib appointed Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch) to the Energy Strategy Advisory Committee, as established by Senate Bill 5116 (Washington state clean energy standard) that was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 7. The committee is comprised of 26 members and is charged with reviewing the state’s energy strategy to maintain alignment with the requirements entailed in S.B. 5116.
“I am honored to serve on the committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to provide sound guidance and advice to the state as we endeavor to meet the ambitious goal of providing Washingtonians with 100 percent clean energy,” said Sen. Sheldon. “As we continue our efforts to make Washington a leader in carbon-free electricity, it’s vital we maintain reliable and affordable electric service for the people of our great state, and I intend to advocate for these principles as a committee member.”
Sen. Sheldon has served as an outside director on Energy Northwest’s executive board since 2003. He brings decades of experience in energy, public policy, and economic development to the committee as it advises the state on its efforts to achieve a clean energy future.
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Sen. Sheldon is the longest serving member of the Washington state legislature, serving in the House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997 before joining the state senate where he continues his distinguished career of public service. As senator for the 35th District, Sen. Sheldon represents all of Mason and portions of Kitsap and Thurston counties.
Sen. Sheldon was previously a Mason County Public Utility District No. 1 commissioner from 1999 to 2002. He has served as the executive director of the Economic Development Council of Mason County, a non-profit corporation dedicated to assisting startup businesses, job development (primarily manufacturing), infrastructure planning for utilities, road and higher education, and advocating for an improved business climate. In addition to his legislative and economic development service, Sen. Sheldon is the general partner in Sheldon Properties, a family owned, 500-acre tree farm on the Olympic Peninsula.
Sen. Sheldon holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington.
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest owns and operates a diverse mix of 100 percent clean electricity generating resources: hydro, solar and wind projects, and the third-largest provider of electricity in Washington – the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power facility. These projects provide carbon-free electricity at the cost of generation – enough clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to power more than a million homes each year. As an independent joint action agency of Washington state, Energy Northwest comprises 27 public power member utilities from across the state serving more than 1.5 million customers. The agency continually explores new generation projects to meet its members’ needs.