Governor signs bill potato growers supported on replacing Seattle Viaduct

Farm and Ranch May 15, 2009 During this year’s regular legislative session the Port of Seattle asked the Washington State Potato Commission to support legislation making a deep-bore tunnel the option to replace the earthquake damaged Seattle Viaduct. Tim Boyd, who represents Potato Commission interests in the legislature, explains why the commodity group offered its support.

Boyd: “The Washington State Potato Commission supported the deep-bore tunnel option as probably the least disruptive during construction and the most efficient way ultimately to move produce from Eastern Washington and the Skagit Valley into the Port of Seattle and get it out ships bound for destinations around the world.”

This week Governor Gregoire signed the legislation on the deep-bore tunnel option.

Another issue Boyd worked on was climate change. The governor’s bill on regional cap and trade died. Boyd says there were opportunities for ag like carbon sequestration, but also the potential of increased input costs for fuel and fertilizer.

Boyd: “You start putting a price tag on those and force people to buy offsets or credits at auction, it could have run up production costs pretty considerably against some of our competitors like those in Idaho, who would not face those costs under a regional program.”

Boyd says a national program would provide a level playing field for all producers and businesses. That’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow!

I’m Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.