2025 Legislative Session

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We’ve done a lot in Washington to advance our efforts to cut toxic air pollution, provide more options for efficient, clean energy, and create good in-state jobs. We know Washington voters want climate action—we’re coming off an incredible victory in 2024 by defeating I-2117 to protect the Climate Commitment Act. 

 

Our Legislative work in 2025 will zero in on more ways we can continue to go big and reduce our climate pollution by half within the next five years. Addressing climate change has always been an enormous challenge, but our wins in Washington demonstrate that we can and we must keep building on our progress. 

 

2025 Legislative Priorities

  1. Invest Climate Commitment Act revenue in deep pollution cuts: CCA dollars must be spent strategically to make sure we rapidly reduce pollution, meet our climate goals, and improve people's lives. In the first two years of CCA dollars, the Legislature funded the start of critical programs and helped grow others. We must continue these successes by funding programs like zero-emission medium-and heavy-duty vehicle vouchers; instant EV rebates for Washingtonians living on low incomes; EV community and home charging; 100% clean school buses; heat pumps and more. 
  2. Build on what’s working: We need to keep doing what we’re doing, while reviewing and assessing what can be improved. Examples: extend the WA EV sales tax waiver, which expires in July 2025; allow EV manufacturers to sell directly to consumers; implement charger reliability standards to make charging easier; support a clean maritime sector through port electrification grants and continuing hybrid electric ferry buildout; boost transmission capacity; require grid enhancing technologies; improve clean energy siting processes. 
  3. Defend our progress: We’re no strangers to defending our climate progress;, this legislative session is no different. The Advanced Clean Truck rule has attracted the ire of the trucking industry and some truckmakers don’t want to follow the rules to get rid of dirty diesel—ACT is a critical tool for Washington to clean up diesel pollution from big trucks, vans, and buses, and help protect your lungs and neighborhood. We need to protect it! 

We’re also working with the Environmental Priorities Coalition. You can read more about those priorities here

Washington State Government

Let’s be brave now, so our children don’t have to be forced to be braver later.

by Gregg Small on

Gina McCarthy, Gov. Jay Inslee and other climate champions raised the roof at our annual event in Seattle.

EV rebates that will make your head spin

by Stephanie Noren on

A new worldwide record for clean energy generation; climate accountability in the courts and state legislatures; and rebates intended to make leasing…

Together we can defeat I-2117

by Joëlle Robinson on

By supporting the No on 2117 campaign, you can help Washington safeguard our climate progress... and protect billions of dollars invested in clean…

We won't be pushed backward: No on I-2117

by Gregg Small on

If passed by Washington voters this fall, Initiative 2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, and erase funding for myriad clean energy projects…

Winning on climate in WA: the importance of perseverance

by Leah Missik on

We notched some clean energy victories in Olympia this year, but there's more work yet to do. And nothing is over until it's over.

Deepening WA's clean energy commitment

by Megan Larkin on

How a lesser known bill moving through WA's 2024 legislative session will double down on clean energy by putting people first

Climate is our priority: Washington legislative mid-session update

by Joëlle Robinson on

Nearly at the midpoint of Washington's 2024 legislative session, legislators are taking action on some of the state's top climate priorities. Here's…

Washington Legislates: Our Climate Priorities for 2024

by Climate Solutions on

The Washington State Legislature has begun its short session. Climate priorities include Climate Commitment Act investments, supporting healthy…

Wind... and counter-wind

by Jonathan Lawson on

Offshore wind is picking up across the country. Also: in the Northwest, climate progress is likely to face a challenge in Washington, and Oregon…

Kids breathe easier on electric school buses

by Jonathan Lee on

Kids deserve to breathe clean, unpolluted air. Plenty of ink has already been spilled about the harms of polluted air in …

$2.2 Billion later—the Climate Commitment Act's promise for Washington communities

by Altinay Karasapan on

In its first year alone, Washington's cap-and-invest program has brought in a record $2.2 billion to invest in protections for climate, clean air,…

HUGE win for climate-friendly buildings in WA

by Joëlle Robinson on

On December 12th, the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to pass a landmark climate policy to transition large multi-family and commercial…

Looking Back on One Year of Washington’s Transformational Climate Commitment Act

by Climate Solutions on

Last week, the Department of Ecology held its final auction in the inaugural year of WA’s cap-and-invest program. Washington’s Climate Commitment Act…

COP28 convenes in Dubai — with fractional results

by Jonathan Lee on

Just a year ago, fossil fuel companies complained they felt unwelcome at COP27; at this year’s COP28 international climate conference, OPEC has its…

Our kids deserve pollution-free school buses

by Jonathan Lee and Jöelle Robinson on

Washington State needs to pass a bill requiring all school buses in Washington to be zero-emission by 2035, and new bus purchases must be pollution-…

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2025 WA Policy Notes

Washington Events

There are no upcoming events posted at this time
Header graphic

Cutting the high cost of urban shade

Submitted by Jonathan Lee on

Urban heat islands are caused by too many buildings and not enough green space. Accordingly, a natural solution is to add greenery back into cities.
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Header graphic

Keeping cool with electric heat pumps

Submitted by Jonathan Lee on

Amidst another extreme and record-breaking heat wave, affordable and energy-efficient cooling is essential for everyone. Electric heat pumps can make that happen.
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Gov. Inslee interviewed for the Volts podcast

We're all in: Governor Inslee's next big climate fight

Submitted by Gregg Small on

Governor Jay Inslee recently appeared on David Roberts' Volts podcast, with a lot to day about the Climate Commitment Act, his optimism about clean energy innovation, the need to organize for progress, and how love—for his state, for his family, for his grandchildren—is his primary motivation to act on climate.
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North Cascades - No on 2117

Together we can defeat I-2117

By supporting the No on 2117 campaign, you can help Washington safeguard our climate progress... and protect billions of dollars invested in clean energy, transit, environmental justice and other community priorities.
Read More

Tulips leaning forward

We won't be pushed backward: No on I-2117

Submitted by Gregg Small on

If passed by Washington voters this fall, Initiative 2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, and erase funding for myriad clean energy projects, environmental justice initiatives, and good jobs. Further, the state would be blocked from any action on capping pollution and making polluters pay for their carbon pollution moving forward.
Read More