CETI supported Western Washington University’s (WWU) Center for Economic and Business and Research on a Washington State Refinery Economic Impact Study for the Department of Commerce. This effort examined the economic impacts of oil refining in Washington state and how they might shift as the state works to achieve mandated decarbonization targets. The study was submitted to Commerce in Fall 2024. Key findings related to workforce implications include:

• Washington’s refineries are major local employers and provide high wages compared to other local industries in the communities where they are located.
• Washington’s refineries may be able to produce a significant amount of renewable or alternative fuels, although they are unlikely to match the current employment or production levels of the state’s five refineries.
• There are alternative industries that are well-aligned with many skillsets held by permanent refinery workers, although misalignment in timing, location, and demand may cause obstacles for workers.