Business briefs: New heat rules, tourism grants and electric airplane orders

Eviation Aircraft’s orders total $4 billion; new heat rules go into effect; $600,000 in tourism grants available next year.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

New heat rules go into effect July 17

New state rules that govern how employers must provide for their workers during hot temperatures go into effect July 17.

Workers who are unprepared for outdoor heat face an increased risk for heat exhaustion, life-threatening heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, according to the state Department of Labor & Industries.

“Even the healthiest worker can get sick when working outdoors in the heat without proper protections,” the agency said. Heat can make workers more susceptible to equipment-related injuries, falls and other on-the-job safety hazards.

Under the state’s new rules, employers must do the following:

• Provide annual training to workers and supervisors to recognize the symptoms of outdoor heat exposure.

• Provide a sufficient amount of cool drinking water and breaks to drink the water.

• Provide adequate shade or alternative cooling methods at all times.

• Encourage and allow workers to take paid, preventative cool down rest periods so they don’t overheat.

• When temperatures rise to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, workers are required to take additional paid, rest periods of at least 10 minutes every 2 hours. Longer and more frequent breaks are required when temperatures rise to 100 degrees.

To view the complete list of requirements go to: tinyurl.com/3fpwyma8

Snohomish County Tourism Grants

Apply for Snohomish County’s 2024 annual tourism grants through Aug. 23.

Next year’s Hotel-Motel Small Fund is expected to total $600,000.

Grants usually range from $5,000 to $50,000.

The Snohomish County Tourism team will host a grant workshop for applicants via Zoom on Wednesday, July 19.

For more information and an application go to the Seattle NorthCountry website at seattlenorthcountry.com.

Completed applications must be submitted via email to Tourism@snoco.org by Aug. 23.

For more information about the program, contact Trudy Soriano, at 425-471-8738 or Trudy.Soriano@snoco.org.

Eviation Adds to Order Book

Arlington’s Eviation Aircraft booked 80 new orders this spring for Alice, the firm’s all-electric commuter airplane.

Both orders — one for 50 new aircraft and one for 30 — were placed by leasing companies, Eviation said.

“Leasing companies have been a missing piece of the puzzle for prospective end users of Eviation’s battery-powered electric planes,” Eviation CEO Greg Davis said in a statement.

More than 50% of aircraft in use are leased by commercial airlines and cargo carriers, according to a 2021 report.

At this year’s Paris Air Show, Aerolease, a Miami-based aircraft leasing company, signed a letter of intent for 50 Eviation aircraft.

“We work with major airlines around the world, and we know from many conversations that sustainability is a major concern,” said Jep Thornton, Aerolease’s managing partner.

Across the pond, MONTE, a U.K.-based regional aircraft signed a letter of intent for 30 of the nine-seat Alice aircraft earlier this year.

Built from a clean-sheet design around a magniX electric propulsion system, Eviation’s Alice produces zero carbon emissions, the company said.

Last fall, the airplane completed a successful eight-minute test flight at the Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake.

Aviation is responsible for 9% of transportation emissions in the United States and 3% of the nation’s greenhouse gas production, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Now, the race is on to reduce or eliminate the airline industry’s reliance on conventional petroleum-based fuels. So far, hydrogen-powered and electric-powered aircraft have emerged as the most promising technologies.

“The aerospace industry is facing increasing pressure to turn sustainable solutions into reality,” said Eddie Jaisaree, Eviation’s vice president, commercial sales. “The Alice aircraft meets the demand for zero-carbon technology that we are seeing from governments, regulators, and the public,” Jaisaree said.

magniX and Eviation are both subsidiaries of the Clermont Group, a Singapore-based, private investment firm. The two aerospace companies relocated to Snohomish County in 2020.

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.