McKinstry provides venue for White House Clean Energy Economy Forum
December 2009
New McKinstry Innovation Center Provides Venue for Critical Dialogue on America’s Energy Future
Seattle, WA (12/7/09) – Friday, leading design build expert McKinstry provided a platform for legislators, business leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how America can create clean energy jobs, protect the environment, and break its dependence on foreign oil.
“We’re hearing a whole host of reasons today to support American clean energy,” said Lisa Jackson. “There are national security reasons. There are environmental reasons, and there are public-health reasons. But perhaps the most compelling reason at this moment and in this place is the economy.”
Ms. Jackson was joined at the forum by Dr. Kristina M. Johnson, Under Secretary of Energy, Washington Governor, Chris Gregoire; Oregon Governor, Ted Kulongoski; and Congressman Jim McDermott. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, as well as U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon, made opening remarks remotely via video.
The event, which took place in McKinstry’s new Innovation Center, set the stage for next week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark where Ms. Jackson will lay out President Obama’s vision of a comprehensive energy plan that puts America back in control of its energy future.
McKinstry’s innovation center is part of the firm’s demonstrated commitment to create sustainable careers, reduce emissions, and protect the environment. The center’s mission is to nurture new and emerging companies engaged in advancing clean technology.
The innovation center features 24,000 square feet of flexible offices where client companies have access to a full suite of services including mentoring and consulting by McKinstry experts, demonstration space, and shop space for prototype development. The center is currently accepting applications and will be ready for occupancy by 2010.
“McKinstry was pleased to offer our innovation space for the forum,” said McKinstry CEO Dean Allen. “Symbolically it couldn’t be a better venue to kick off critical discussion about where we are headed with respect to deciding energy policy both regionally and nationally. Initiatives such as our innovation center will play a crucial role in positioning the US as a major global player as we head increasingly toward an economy based on clean, alternative energy.”
The forum at McKinstry was fourth in a series of regional Clean Energy Economy discussions with top Administration officials hosted by governors across the country. McKinstry was chosen as a venue for this critical dialogue because of its nationally recognized status as an innovator and industry leader in advancing energy efficiency.
About McKinstry
McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy and facility services. Our innovative, integrated delivery methodology provides clients with a single point of accountability that drives waste, cost, time, and redundancy out of the design/build process. We employ over 1,600 professional staff and trades people throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, West, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States with operations in more than 15 states. McKinstry advocates collaborative and sustainable solutions designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency, reduce facility operational costs, and ultimately optimize profitability for “The Life of Your Building.”
For more information, visit www.mckinstry.com
Contact: Lynnel Hampton, Marketing Specialist
(206) 762-3311 or email at lynnelh@mckinstry.com
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