Washington GOP Releases “Power Washington” Energy Plan

At a press conference on November 29, Washington State Republican senators released their “Power Washington” energy plan. The plan responds to current state policies and regulations that aim to eliminate natural gas, mandate electric vehicles, ban new gas-powered vehicles in 2035, and support dam breaching. Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, advised that the state needs a plan that is “rational, reasonable and then reliable to address our energy and climate needs.” He said that the Republican’s plan advocates “an all-of-the-above approach” and a power grid that is reliable using all sources of energy. The plan includes seven main goals King explained and “thoughtful common-sense ideas that get us where we need to go.” Food Northwest attended a presentation of the plan by Senator King to the AWB Energy Committee earlier this month.

For more information and a copy of the plan, visit https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/gop-releases-power-washington-energy-plan-for-2023-legislative-session/article_6588671c-701b-11ed-955b-efa1b6809491.html

Debbie Radie named AFFI Woman of the Year

Debbie Radie, former Food Northwest Board Chair and current Boardman Foods Vice President of Operations has been named the recipient of the American Frozen Food Institute’s inaugural Woman of the Year award. Congratulations Debbie!

Read full article in the East Oregonian here

Oregon Climate Protection Program Equity Advisory to Meet

The first meeting of the Equity Advisory Committee under Oregon’s Climate Protection Program will be held on December 7, 2022. The Committee will provide recommendations to DEQ on applications from non-profit organizations to become community climate investment entities. These entities will collect payments from companies that purchase credits to meet their greenhouse gas emission reduction obligations and will distribute funds (community climate investments) for projects in Oregon. The Committee will also play an important role in determining what types of emission reduction projects are supported by the community climate investments and where the projects are located. For more information or to access the December 7 Zoom meeting, visit https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cpp/Pages/eac.aspx

FDA Releases Food Allergens Final Guidance and a New Draft Guidance

On November 29, FDA released Edition 5 (final guidance) to revise and replace Edition 4 (2006), Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen and Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). It contains revised and new questions and answers relating to food allergens, including questions and answers about FALCPA and the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021 (FASTER Act), which amended the definition of major food allergen. FDA issued the Draft Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergen Labeling (Edition 5) to receive comments on the new and revised questions and answers, and as appropriate will move questions and answers to the final guidance document after reviewing comments and incorporating changes. Comments on the draft are due on January 29, 2023. Food Northwest’s Operations & Technical Affairs Committee will evaluate the draft.