Washington state's economy, particularly the traditional tech sector, which comprises around 22% of its overall economic output, was notably absent from Gov. Bob Ferguson's recent State of the State address. Instead, the governor emphasized advancements in climate technology and healthcare during his speech delivered on January 13 in Olympia.
Ferguson highlighted significant projects like Helion Energy’s Orion facility, which aims to be the first commercial fusion reactor, with operations expected by 2028. Should the project succeed, Microsoft plans to purchase energy generated from the plant. Additionally, the launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator was mentioned, involving key players such as Boeing and Amazon, which focuses on developing low-carbon aviation fuels.
The governor also acknowledged the contributions of local research institutions, including the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, in pioneering next-generation drug therapies. Ferguson framed these initiatives as crucial for establishing Washington as a leader in clean energy investments amidst challenges like a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.