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In a statement, the energy commission acknowledged that “there are many challenges to overcome” with a state-owned refinery, “including the high cost to purchase and operate, the skilled labor and expertise necessary to manage refinery operations, and how the refinery would fit into the state’s transition away from petroleum fuels.”

More than a dozen sawmills have closed in Canada and Oregon, Washington and Northern California as logging operations have struggled with a shortage of skilled labor and higher costs for energy, freight and other inputs.

“But even with that,” he said, “we’re having difficulties. We don’t get the skilled labor. They work for two to three months” and leave.

Automation, the researchers noted, will boost employee safety and well-being and help manufacturers retain skilled labor.

“In the next five years, they are more likely to stay active, particularly small companies that are very dependent on skilled labor.”