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2024 Legislative Session

Washington is among a few unique states with commitments and strong laws to address the major sources of pollution including the grid, transportation fuels, and economy wide sectors. Our work now and in the future, will continue to focus on how we reduce emissions and who will benefit in the transition to clean energy.

Notably this session begins against the backdrop of 2023’s headlines that the Climate Commitment Act program generated a total revenue of $2.2 billion. Having the CCA actively working to make polluters pay and help fund clean energy in Washington is an extraordinary win for climate and our communities, but we will still need to ensure these dollars are invested wisely. Ultimately we may need to defend this law from detractors and opponents of climate action. 

We're nearly through this short session! Below is the latest on what we've been tracking in 2024. 

You can stay updated on all our legislative work by signing up for Washington emails and take action today by clicking here.

Download a copy of our 2024 Washington Legislative Climate Priorities.

CLEAN TRANSPORTATION 

100% Clean School Buses (HB 1368) + Budget ($80 M in CCA funding) 

*Environmental Priorities Coalition Priority 

Research shows that switching to zero-emission school buses improves kids’ health and performance in school by cutting diesel pollution. In tandem with the budget ask ($80 million of Climate Commitment Act revenue), this bill would set Washington on a pathway to 100% clean school buses and would accelerate the process by requiring new bus purchases to be zero-emission starting when the cost to own and operate a zero-emission bus is the same or less than a polluting bus (cost parity expected within five years or sooner).

The bill passed the House and Senate, After a final House concurrence vote, the bill is expected to head to the Governor's desk for his signature. 

2024 BUDGET PRIORITIES

Continuing to invest the Climate Commitment Act revenue wisely: 100% Clean School Buses and Clean Multi-family Housing 

Typically, a short session means less budget-focused work, as the biennial budget is set in long (odd-year) sessions. Ongoing revenue from the Climate Commitment Act revenue means there are additional funds to invest in climate priorities in the supplemental 2024 budget.

Multifamily Housing Decarbonization Program ($100M Operating Budget):

Low-income residents are the least able to transition off of gas, and for tenants of affordable, multi-family housing (MFH) it is largely up to building owners to transition to electric and efficient homes and appliances. Climate and clean building advocates are asking the Legislature to invest $100 million in affordable MFH housing incentives for energy efficiency upgrades and electrification retrofits (also currently in the Governor’s budget). This funding should be flexible and include outreach, planning, and technical assistance.

100% Clean School Buses ($80M Capital or Operating Budget):

We can fund the transition to zero-emission buses, help our schools, and improve our kids' health. Almost all of our 12,000+ school buses in Washington currently run on diesel, and diesel pollution causes cancer, contributes to lung and other chronic diseases, and triggers asthma attacks. Rep. Senn is leading the ask for $80 million to meet the need and growing demand for clean buses and ensure all kids can get a healthy and safe ride to school. This budget ask, as well as the accompanying legislation to mandate the transition, are a 2024 Environmental Priorities Coalition Priority.

NAVIGATING BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION BENEFITS & UTILITY PLANNING

Gas Utility Decarbonization (HB 1589)

This bill will ensure that PSE (our largest gas and electric utility) plans for the transition to clean energy, makes significant new programs available to help folks transition off of fossil gas, and creates opportunities for low-income people to access the clean energy transition. HB 1589 will require PSE to proactively plan to meet statutory requirements to decarbonize its system. Without this bill, PSE may continue planning its gas system to be reliant on fossil fuels indefinitely, resulting in stranded assets and higher costs for customers. 

Legislators in both houses passed this bill and reached concurrence. The bill is headed to Gov. Inslee for his signature.

Clean Buildings Navigator Bill (HB 1391)

With significant new clean energy incentives coming to Washingtonians from federal investments and the Climate Commitment Act, it is critical that the incentives are accessible and understandable, and that there is significant community outreach and input. This bill would create a one-stop shop and outreach campaign to do just that. 

This bill passed the House 58-39 but died in the Senate; its key provisions may be incorporated as a budget proviso. 

Thermal energy networks (HB 2131)

This bill would allow gas and electric utilities to explore the option to establish and operate thermal energy networks (also called TENS or networked geothermal), which are systems that can operate at a neighborhood scale to link together the energy systems for different buildings, distributing waste heat and energy throughout them using ground-source heat pumps. Thermal energy networks would allow customers to access the benefits of ground-source heat pumps (which are more efficient than air-source, and also can be more stable in colder climates) at lower cost, and also provide a way for gas utilities and their workforce to decarbonize, since TENS involve a system of water pipes that are fairly similar to gas pipelines. The bill would also establish a program for gas utilities to apply for Commerce grants to develop a pilot in their existing service territory.

The bill has passed both the House and Senate. 

Washington State Government

Taskforce recommends carbon pricing for Washington

by Ben Serrurier on

Ending polluters' free ride is the key recommendation of Governor Inslee's task force on carbon emissions.

New money, policies and promises for climate action

by Seth Zuckerman on

Reverberations of the U.S.-China climate commitments keep echoing, federal clean energy fund turns a profit, lightweight solar panels you can…

Few bright spots for climate in midterm election results

by Seth Zuckerman on

A few victories soften the blow of an otherwise painful midterm election, Oregon NGO cleanses its portfolio of fossil fuels, Brazil attracts…

Carbon pricing gets a boost

by Seth Zuckerman on

Gov. Inslee floats a carbon tax as a solution to the state’s education funding problem, a coal mine sells for $2, mayors announce a nationwide…

Climate action now: Let's keep making history!

by Alex Epstein on

After last month's giant climate marches, it's time to make sure the Northwest continues to lead the country towards a clean energy future. Add your…

Renewable standards turn out to be a bargain

by Seth Zuckerman on

The surprising role of deep-sea fishes in sequestering carbon, Tesla opens up its patents, Volkswagen brings a 260-mpg car to market, and much more.

Switch sooner, save sooner

by Seth Zuckerman on

In this week's ClimateCast: A Republican mayor pushes for a net-zero energy code, insurers place their bets on climate risk,  rooftop solar…

States of denial meet states of change

by Beth Doglio on

This week's Years of Living Dangerously underscored the dangers we will increasingly face in the age of climate consequences--and the importance of…

Europeans see financial risk in fossil fuels

by Seth Zuckerman on

In this week’s ClimateCast: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announces climate plan, New York utilities rethink their business model, pteropods succumbing…

Inslee's bold climate initative: The Right Time, the Right Place, the Right People

by Gregg Small on

On April 29, Washington Governor Jay Inslee's Executive Order on climate change marked a big leap forward for West Coast climate leadership…

Power Past Coal

by Jonathan Lawson on

Governor Jay Inslee is committed to a clean energy future. We need everyone around the country thanking him for

Washington should continue to build on our success with renewable energy

by Jessica Finn Coven on

Washington State has made great strides in clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy independence. But some legislators want to slow or reverse…

Olympia 2014: Let’s maintain support for a clean energy future

by Ben Serrurier on

And they’re off! Monday marked the official start of the 2014 Washington State legislative session. Here's a preview of how Climate Solutions will be…

Clean Energy Wins in Double Legislative Overtime

by Jessica Finn Coven on

While much of the media attention of the state legislature session focused on the near government shutdown and the bu

An extra special session in Washington State

by Jessica Finn Coven on

On May 13, the Washington State legislature started its 30 day special session, an addition to the 105 day “regular” session that ended last month.…

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