Environmental Priorities and the Legislative Session

The 2009 Washington State Legislative Session is now in full swing - and the twenty-four groups that make up the Environmental Priorities Coalition (www.environmentalpriorities.org) are hard at work.  All four of the Environmental Priorities bills have made it past the first hurdle - getting out of their initial committees and moving on to the financial committees.  Read on for information on each of the four Priorities bills.

Cap and Invest (SB 5735/HB 1819)

Prime Sponsors: Senator Rockefeller and Representative Upthegrove

By implementing the cap on global warming pollution the Legislature adopted last year, we can create new jobs and stimulate the growth of a clean energy economy here. This legislation implements the cap on climate pollution by authorizing Washington to participate in the pollution reduction program designed by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). The legislation will require emitters to purchase pollution permits, and reduce the amount of pollution they produce over time. The new state revenue would be invested to spur clean-tech innovation, put people to work increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy, and provide assistance to working families struggling with high energy costs. Through state action, we can reduce global warming pollution in a manner that benefits Washington's economy and protects Washington's interests in the national climate policy debate.

Efficiency First (SB 5854/HB 1747)

Prime Sponsors: Senator Kilmer and Representative Rolfes

Promoting energy-efficient homes, businesses and public buildings will save money, create family wage jobs and significantly reduce global-warming pollution. Energy efficiency improvements reduce the need for costly new power generation facilities and transmission, and are critical to helping low-income families lower their energy bills. This legislation puts "efficiency first" by:

• Promoting super-efficient, low-energy-use buildings by 2030 through maximizing energy efficiency and use of on-site renewable energy resources;
• Initiating a program in which annual energy-use scores for buildings (similar to miles-per-gallon ratings for cars) are disclosed to prospective buyers and addressing high energy-use scores in public buildings;
• Expanding low-income weatherization efforts, and
• Facilitating up-front financing for energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings.

Transit-Oriented Communities (SB 5687/HB 1490) (Click here for more information)

Prime Sponsors: Senator Marr and Representative Nelson

With population growth, we are facing increased traffic congestion, diminished quality of life, and ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Transit-Oriented Communities would revise the state's transportation and land-use planning framework to assist local jurisdictions to plan for growth in a sustainable and climate-friendly way. The bill will provide incentives for cities and developers to create affordable, livable, transit-oriented development, increasing transportation choices.

Invest in Clean Water (HB 1614/SB 5518)

Prime Sponsors: Senator Pridemore and Representative Ormsby

Invest in Clean Water would raise over $100 million dollars annually in new revenue for clean water, new jobs, and healthier communities. By imposing a per-barrel fee on petroleum products, this legislation will provide new funding to prevent stormwater contamination, the biggest threat to Puget Sound and water quality across the state. This new revenue will ease financial pressures on cash-strapped local governments and taxpayers by ensuring that the polluter pays: petroleum is the most significant source of contamination in surface water runoff.