Radio Report: Rep. Barnard promotes business development and family wage jobs in a clean energy economy

January 9, 2024

Good paying jobs and clean energy development are the focus of two bills proposed by Representative Stephanie Barnard of Pasco. Nic Scott reports.

SCOTT: House Bill 1981 seeks to incentivize clean nuclear energy manufacturing through preferential business and occupation (B&O) tax rates.

BARNARD: “The is going to really build the economy and really widen that tax base so the state actually wouldn’t lose money, it would gain a lot instead – a lot of clean energy, a lot of clean energy jobs.”

SCOTT: Barnard’s other proposal, House Bill 2120, would promote new and expanding business by extending a temporary property tax exemption.

BARNARD: “What we’re doing is we’re taking existing targeted urban area property tax exemptions and asking to allow for nuclear projects to be extended to 24-month periods, if needed.”

SCOTT: Representative Barnard believes these bills will promote long-term, employment opportunities in advanced nuclear fuels, while delivering cost-effective energy solutions and added economic benefits to the local region and the state.

Nic Scott, the state Capitol.