Common national problems and complementary research strengths are helping forge a bond that reaches across the Pacific Ocean from Richland to China.
China and the United States, the world's largest two economies, face similar major issues: They are the world's largest energy users and produce the most air emissions.
To find ways to reduce emissions while sustaining growth, scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland and their Chinese counterparts increasingly are collaborating on research projects.
Gov. Chris Gregoire's fall trade mission to China put an additional focus on the collaboration and how not only the environment, but also Washington's economy, could benefit.
It's not just apples, grain, airplanes and software that the state exports. Clean energy technology has the potential to be just as big or bigger, said Mike Davis, PNNL associate director for energy and environment projects.
Read the full story at tri-cityherald.com.
