Utility and cleanup crews continue response to ‘bomb cyclone’

A utility worker from Puget Sound Energy works to clear debris from trees felled by this week’s ‘Bomb Cyclone’ weather event. (Image courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)

A powerful weather system caused widespread damage in Western Washington earlier this week. High winds blew down trees, widely disrupting power and causing several injuries. Two Washingtonians died during the storm.

Utility crews have since worked night and day to restore service. In hard-hit King County, Puget Sound Energy expects to address remaining outages by noon on Saturday. The utility is providing regular updates and resources for customers still without power.

“Thanks to the utility crews who are working 24/7 to restore power to customers. Utilities & local governments are working as quickly as they can to support residents & businesses. Our emergency response folks continue to be ready for any local government requests for assistance,” tweeted Inslee.

During incidents like this, Washington state’s emergency management department remains in contact with city and county emergency management agencies to respond to requests for assistance.

In addition to power outages, the storm has also constrained the state’s blood supply. Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent call for donations to overcome a surge in cancelations this week. Appointments can be booked at 800-398-7888 or at bloodworksnw.org.

Tips to plan your holiday highway and ferry travel

A WSDOT snowplow clears the way along SR 20 near Sherman Pass this week during some of the first snowfall of the winter.

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming up, and so might some highway and ferry congestion. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) offers helpful travel tools to help you get to grandma’s house before she runs out of pumpkin pie.

Four stretches of highway without alternative routes often see holiday congestion. I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma, I-5 near the Canadian border, I-90 between North Bend and Cle Elum, and US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass tend to back up. WSDOT’s travel charts for these roadways might help you pick the best time to leave.

Pass conditions are also starting to deteriorate. Snow has begun to fall in the mountains, so keep tire chains on-hand and check your tire treads before heading for the pass.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) estimates that 300,000 passengers will hop aboard next weekend. That means ferries will more crowded than usual. WSF urges riders to consider early-morning or late-night sailings and perhaps leave the car at home. The Edmonds-Kingston route and the Point Defiance-Tahlequah routes have adjusted holiday schedules to mind as well.

Happy holidays, and safe travels.

Attention, soon-to-graduate seniors: financial aid may brighten your academic future

The Washington Student Achievement Council and Washington State Office of Equity are among the state agencies trying to help seniors and their families access financial aid towards college or career training. The Washington State Office of Equity will host a financial aid webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Another webinar will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Washington state leads the nation in need-based financial aid. Nearly half of all Washington families qualify for aid through the generous Washington College Grant. That money can be used for four-year and two-year institutions, registered apprenticeships, technical college, and more. Beyond tuition, it can also help pay for books and materials, and more.

But too many eligible families miss out on this assistance. Only half of 12^th-grade students file their FAFSA every year in Washington, the fourth-lowest rate in the nation. In total, that cost families $65 million in unrealized assistance.

“Families are just plain leaving money on the table by not applying for aid. We have the best financial aid system in the country, and we’re helping your children reach their dream careers through college and career training,” says Gov. Jay Inslee. “But you’ve got to file your FAFSA, and WSAC is standing by to help you do that.”

Career Connect Washington celebrates successes paving the way to bright careers

In May 2018, Gov. Jay Inslee announced an ambitious plan to introduce more Washingtonians to career-connected learning opportunities such as registered apprenticeships. Years later, Career Connect Washington (CCW) is helping thousands of people reach lucrative, in-demand careers.

Over two-thirds of Washington jobs require some form of education or training after high school. Apprenticeships and career training programs build necessary skills to compete in the job market. CCW is now supporting 16,000 students through such programs, including 12,000 registered apprenticeships. Many of these programs combine education with paid on-the-job experience.

“Our economy is the envy of the country. We have great jobs here, great industries, and great talent. And for five years now, Career Connect Washington has only further enhanced that talent,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “It’s a new reality that high school doesn’t cut it anymore to get into cutting-edge jobs, but we’re helping thousands of young people get the training they need to reach the career they dream of.”

The nation-leading program has earned over $30 million in federal grants through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Building America programs.

New work group will help Washington compete for federal semiconductor funding

The Biden-Harris Administration’s 2022 CHIPS and Science Act aimed to overclock America’s semiconductor industry. Gov. Jay Inslee this week directed the formation of a new work group to compete for funding from that legislation, bringing together experts from industry, higher education, research institutions, and governments.

The new directive builds upon existing legislation like HB 2482, which reinstated tax incentives for the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry within the state already employs nearly 8,600 people, generating $673 million in annual wages and $4.5 billion in economic impact.

“The CHIPS & Science Act presents unprecedented opportunity for an innovative, forward-looking state like ours,” Inslee said. “There is tremendous excitement about the ways we can compete successfully for this funding and I appreciate all the work of Commerce and our partners to make Washington a leader in the semiconductor industry. I also applaud Senator Cantwell’s leadership in passing this legislation.”

Gov. Jay Inslee poses for a photo with staff from Camas-based Analog Devices, a semiconductor component manufacturer, in September 2023.