Obama Ready to Drill & Ag Jobs Growing

Obama Ready to Drill & Ag Jobs Growing. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. It appears the Obama Administration is prepared to increase offshore oil production even as we transition to using renewable, homegrown energy resources. Speaking at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland Wednesday, President Obama said his Administration will consider potential areas for development. OBAMA: That's why my administration will consider potential areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, while studying and protecting sensitive areas in the Arctic. That's why we'll continue to support development of leased areas off the North Slope of Alaska, while protecting Alaska's Bristol Bay. There will be those who strongly disagree with this decision, including those who say we should not open any new areas to drilling. Jobs in the ag industry grew last year in Washington State. A state report by the Employment Security Department says 12,300 more season and permanent jobs were added in 2009. There were a total of 68,330 permanent and seasonal agricultural jobs in Washington in January. A survey of 1,800 growers also shows wages for season workers rose 7% to $9.42 an hour. The state's minimum wage for 2010 is $8.55 per hour. Now here's today's Washington Grange Report. (GRANGE) That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.